Rising Stars: Cruz Pietersen & Charlie Farac Join Wellington Phoenix Academy

Wellington– The future of New Zealand football is looking bright, and two young talents from West Coast Rangers are set to take the next big step in their football journey. Cruz Pietersen (14) and Charlie Farac (15) have both secured spots in the Wellington Phoenix Academy for the 2025 season, marking an exciting new chapter in their development.

Having been part of West Coast Rangers since their early days in the Whole of Football programs, Pietersen and Farac have grown through the ranks– showcasing their dedication, skill, and passion for the game. Their progression to the Wellington Phoenix Academy is a testament to their hard work and the strong foundation built at WCR.

We caught up with the duo to reflect on their journey so far, their excitement about joining the Phoenix Academy, and what lies ahead in their football careers. 

Prior to the start of season, Charlie Farac and Cruz Pietersen shared their excitement when their spots were secured with the Phoenix. “It is very exciting. I feel honoured and privileged to be part of the Phoenix as well as excited as it opens a wide range of opportunities,” shared Farac. When asked what excited him the most, Farac responded, “The opportunity to be in a professional environment with training everyday. I hope to improve year on year and if all works out to be offered a professional contract with the club.” Pietersen shared, “It feels great to showcase my skills in a professional environment with experienced coaches. I want to find out what I can achieve with the Phoenix in the future, see where I can improve, and work hard to excel.”

After several months with the Phoenix Academy, the duo expressed the joys and challenges of their experiences thus far. “It’s been a vastly different and challenging experience where nothing has been the same. There’s been ups and downs with obstacles such as the constant training and the tole it takes on your body, as well as the balance of focus on school work and extra work given to us by Phoenix. I would say the biggest challenge is the balance between spending time at home and staying down here at school. Education is the most important thing I'm focused on, but also wanting to come home, after spending countless days away from home,” shared Farac. 

“The first couple of weeks at the Phoenix was very challenging for me in many different ways. Starting at the Phoenix was always going to be a big move for me and my family, the sacrifices my family made for me so I could have a good development in a professional academy was amazing,” Pietersen stated. “One of the first challenges for me was starting fresh in a whole new city, new school, new football club, and different people around me. I feel like I adapted to school very easily because I already had a few friends that go to my school and they showed me everything. It was good for me that I was able to play in the Christchurch International Cup last year, guesting for the Wellington Phoenix Academy. This helped me to become confident during the first couple trainings. I still had to overcome some challenges for me to get all of my confidence, obviously starting in a whole new environment, new coaches, new playing style etc. My coach here at the Phoenix helped me get my confidence and helped me to get back the skills I’ve always had. After settling in well, I have adapted to the playing style and I feel a lot more confident on the ball and I can do the things I know I can do.”

“The Phoenix have helped me in many ways, they obviously play with a different style as West Coast Rangers and my coaches really helped to adapt to it. The Phoenix, I feel have helped me to become a person with good standards and always a good attitude. Because at the Phoenix I am always surrounded in a football environment and all the players at the academy want the same dream as me. This helps me to push myself even harder to be the best possible person I can be,” added Pietersen.

Both Farac and Pietersen started playing from a young age, working their way up the ladder. Farac explained, “I started playing football aged 7 and joined this club [WCR]. I kept playing at the club all these years with my friends and have played with some of them since my first season. At the end of 2023 we received an email from Wellington Phoenix Academy offering a three day trial period. I was really excited to get this chance and loved the trial. A few weeks later we got an email with an offer of a place at the academy. Since then, I have played with them in a tournament in mid-2024, and started with them at the beginning of the 2025 season.”

Similarly, Pietersen stated, “I began my career at Northwest First Kicks, working my way up through hard work and dedication until I earned the opportunity to join the Phoenix Football Academy. Like Charlie, I was able to play with a number of my close friends.”

The duo shared the impact and memories made in their time at West Coast Rangers– Farac reflected, “West Coast Rangers has definitely played a big role on where I am today. I have played here my whole life, not just making friends but developing as a footballer. West Coast Rangers provided me with a mindset that there are definitely opportunities in/around the club if you earn it– you can play up and even play in some competitive national tournaments. The club's open attitude on giving young players a chance to play up age groups definitely provides younger players to develop faster and better at a higher level. So I think the technical and mental based development at West Coast Rangers has played a big role in helping me prepare for the professional environment at Phoenix, as there are quality players on a national level competing every session to move closer to a professional contract is definitely physically and mentally hard to compete against. This is why I think West Coast Rangers is a great place to help prepare future players for opportunities like this.”

One of Farac’s favorite memories as a Ranger “was recently making it to the U17 National semifinal. This was very memorable for me and the club as it was the first time in history the club has made it this far in the tournament and presented me with a lot of challenges.”

Pietersen shared, “West Coast Rangers have done a lot for me, if it wasn’t for the club I wouldn’t be where I am today. They have helped me with my whole junior development, and also most of my youth years. Playing at West Coast Rangers was some of the best times in my football career, all of my friends and coaches who have helped me become who I am today. There are so many memorable moments at West Coast Rangers, all of the tournaments I have played with them, and probably my favourite one of them all was winning the league in my final year with my U14s team. In this league we went undefeated and I captained the team. I feel like we all had the skill but also what we all had was passion. We just had the desire and hunger to turn up every game and play the best possible football we could play. Other than this I would just like to say, thank you West Coast Rangers and all of the staff I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Both Charlie Farac and Cruz Pietersen represent what it means to be a part of the West Coast Ranger family. To the young players at the club that wish to follow in their footsteps, Pietersen advises “to work hard, stay focused, and avoid distractions. Stay humble and always show good sportsmanship.” Farac echoes this in stating, “You should always work hard and play like every minute matters. Make sure you enjoy yourself as it’s the most important thing.”