Pathway in Action-- from Junior to Premier: A Spotlight on our Men’s Emerging Players

Pathway in Action-- from Junior to Premier: A Spotlight on our Men’s Emerging Players

At West Coast Rangers FC, the pathway from youth football to first team status isn’t just a development plan– it’s a proving ground. Joel Elliott (19), Alec Death (18), and Kingston Hansell (16) have shown what it means to rise through our pathway and earn their place on the club’s premier stage. We sat down with these footballers to hear about their journeys, challenges, and lessons they’ve learned along the way. 

Joel Elliott: "Hard work beats ability"

Joel Elliott’s football journey began with long days spent at Fred Taylor Park. "I started playing football at Waitakere City FC when I was 3 years old," he says. “I would spend my entire Saturdays at Fred Taylor. Early mornings were spent playing first kicks and then kicking balls around in whatever free goals I could find until the first team would kick off at 3pm.” 

Elliott’s break into the first team happened at the age of 15. “By the end of the season, I got the opportunity to train with the Men’s first team for the first time. This experience was mind-blowing for me, as I was training alongside or against the players I had been watching years prior.” Elliott shared, “The intensity and high expectations can bring & create a lot of pressure. However, the experienced players are quick to offer advice and even coach you on ways to elevate both your individual skills and the team’s overall performance.”

Now a first team player himself, Elliott reflected on a personal highlight from this year: “Coming up against Auckland FC at a packed Fred Taylor Park was an unreal experience– it was surreal to play against some of the top players in the A-League.”

Elliott shared some of his challenges he faced along the way, stating: “The hardest moments have been when I have lost confidence on the field and when facing injuries. Getting through injuries is something that I found very hard to overcome, being out for months on end had negative effects on my mental and physical health.”

Elliott found that routine helped build his confidence going into games. “The main routines and habits I have learned to help me step up to the first team include a consistent gym routine and pre-game routine. By consistently adding gym work into my life, the amount of serious injuries I have got has minimised, I am able to push harder and feel fitter, helping me push into the first team space.”

His advice to young players is clear: “Hard work beats ability. Football is not a race, so don’t compare yourself to others. If you work hard, you can make it as far as you want.”

Alec Death: "Turn up ready to listen, learn, and work harder than anyone else"

Alec Death’s football journey is marked by consistent progression and an unwavering work ethic. “Every Saturday was set aside for football in my family– from little kicks to 11th grade,” he says. After starting with Norwest United and transitioning through Waitakere City, Death joined the newly formed West Coast Rangers in 13th grade and never looked back.

He got his first taste of senior football at age 15. “I went from watching the first team from the sideline on a Saturday afternoon to training and being part of the squad… It was a scary experience– training with full grown men and players I had been watching for years,” he recalls. “It really opened my eyes and showed me everything I needed to improve on.”

Death speaks to the importance of learning from older teammates; namely Josh Armitt, Dan McDowall, and Allan Pearce. Death names Pearce as someone who has been instrumental in his development as a striker. “Pearcy has taught me a lot over the past two years and has helped me with defending, positioning & timing as a striker.”

Death highlights some big moments over the past years: “Scoring my first senior goal against Auckland City… my first senior hat-trick against Manurewa– but the biggest highlight would have to be playing against Auckland FC. Telling people you’ve played against top international footballers is something that never gets old.”

He described the challenges he faced with his journey as well– “Confidence is a massive factor of my game. I’m very hard on myself as I want to become the best player that I possibly can… but I’ve learned it’s how you react to the mistake which can define how your game is going to be.”

Death emphasises the importance of fitness, food, and sleep when it comes to his habits and routines as a player. “My routine now sees me training three times a week, going to the gym four times, and playing one game a week,” he says. 

His advice is simple: “Turn up to any training willing to listen, learn, and work harder than anyone else. Hard work always brings reward.”

Kingston Hansell: "Hard work and humility beat talent and arrogance"

Kingston Hansell’s story is one of patience, faith, and consistency. “My football journey began when my dad enrolled me at Bay Olympic, then I moved to Waitakere City FC for 8th grade where I was coached by Joel’s dad Bruce and cousin Nathan,” he shares. “This is when I truly fell in love with the sport.

Hansell progressed through the age groups through 11th grade, when he made the first team in his age group for the first time. The following year, West Coast Rangers was formed. He continued to progress through the age groups, and eventually was selected to represent the club at the U19 National Tournament held in Napier and the U17 National Tournament held in Auckland.“This was my first taste of real competitive football… and it’s also when I realised I had the capability to take football to the next level and aim to earn a spot on the Men’s First Team.” Hansell made his debut for the first team this season.

Hansell reflects, “Being able to play Premier for the club that I started my competitive football journey at… being able to look back on how far I’ve come– and the hope of inspiring younger ballers in the club– that’s been my highlight.”

Playing alongside seasoned players like Dan McDowall and Nick Forrester has been transformative on and off the field for Hansell. “They’ve helped me see how respect is earned… and the amount of communication they use has inspired me to talk more during games.” Hansell shares, “Their consistency week in and week out has rubbed off on me and it is something I try to carry out… the older boys would always encourage and push me to give every drill my all.” Hansell expresses how the intense training environment of the Men’s first team has improved his growth as a player– “The older boys would never take it easy on me, and it’s helped me to be faster and smarter. Playing with more experienced players has taught me humility, hard work, and has made me more aggressive and confident on and off the field.”

But Hansell has battled setbacks too– overcoming nagging injuries that tested his mental and physical strength. “I stayed patient, stuck to recovery, surrounded myself with friends and family, and through prayer– constantly asking God for strength and guidance.”

His routines are focused on recovery and consistency: “...giving 110% at trainings and games, but also placing emphasis on stretching and sleep to minimise the risk of injury and help speed up the recovery time, allowing me to make the most of the opportunities I get.”

Hansell gives inspirational advice to younger players coming up: “Hard work and humility beat talent and arrogance. Stay grounded and be true to who you are… Give thanks to God for all the blessings we receive — because at the end of the day, they can all be taken away within seconds.”