Aged 18 and a professional sportsman, the Mosgiel-raised McGarry is living what most teenagers dream of.
He is in the middle of a three-year deal with the Wellington Phoenix, trains and plays football full time, and gets paid to do it.
McGarry will line up for the Wellington Phoenix under-20 team when it takes on Southern United in Wellington today.
McGarry, the son of former All White Mike McGarry, said he was enjoying his time in Wellington and was eying up a place at the top table with the Phoenix.
"This is what every young footballer in New Zealand wants to do. There are not many opportunities like this that come along so you’ve got to make the most of them. You’re blessed to be in this position," he said.
"I want to take the next step and get into the first team here and play in the A-League. I’d like to get on the bench and get some experience. But I do still really enjoy playing for the reserve team at the moment."
He played for the A-League side last season, coming on as a substitute in Christchurch, and also sat on the bench but has yet to get in the match-day squad this season.
McGarry trains five mornings a week with the first team, and also has gym sessions, and everything else a professional footballer does.
He feels his game is on the improve, giving credit for much of the progress to former Phoenix manager Ernie Merrick.
"Ernie made me more than just a winger. He made me a midfielder and really helped my game. It was a shame to see him go but that is football. Coaches come and go and it is a ruthless game.
"The new coaches have come in and have stepped up and the side has improved."
McGarry thinks his own game has got better in the past few weeks.
"To me it is just about getting consistency into my game. Backing up each week and over a few games. Over the last four or five weeks I’ve been doing that. As soon as the coaches see that they will give you an opportunity."
The young Phoenix side sits outside the top six and is not a chance to make the playoffs although it is a threat to sides above it.McGarry said his father talked to him about his game most weeks and always had words of advice.
The young Phoenix side will be seeking to do the double over Southern United after a 1-0 win earlier in the season.
Southern United did not play last week — playing an internal squad game — and will be hoping to get back to winning ways after losing 3-1 to Waitakere United last game out.
National league
Wellington, today, 2pm
Southern United: Liam Little, Ross Howard, Conor O’Keeffe, Stephen Last, Harley Rodeka (captain), Eric Molloy, Andy Mulligan, Andrew Ridden, Michael Hogan, Danny Ledwith, Danny Furlong, Sam Cosgrave, Hamish Cotter, Sam Collier, Riley Anderton.
Phoenix under-20: Lewis Italiano, Ryan Lowry, Dylan Fox, James McGarry, Matt Ridenton, Logan Rogerson, Sarpreet Singh, Jack Henry-Sinclair, Liam Wood, Oliver Sail, Sam Philip, Benjamin Mata, Samuel Gillespie, Sam Sutton, Ruairi Cahill-Fleury, Luke Tongue
