Phoenix grad Partridge to South Island United
- editor59343
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
Wellington Phoenix academy graduate Lewis Partridge is excited to return home after signing for South Island United in the OFC Pro League.
The 20-year-old former Christchurch United player has spent the past five seasons in Wellington and is currently playing for the Phoenix Reserves in the National League.
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“I was really excited when I heard about a South Island team getting into the OFC Pro League, and my first thought was how cool it would be to play professional football in my home town in front of my friends and family,” says Partridge.
“When I was growing up, there wasn't a pathway in Christchurch, so you had to go elsewhere. It’s pretty cool knowing that young players can look at this new club and think 'I can do that',” says the right wing back who enjoyed his First Kicks football with Halswell United and had three junior seasons at Selwyn United, before joining the Christchurch United Academy as a 12-year-old.
“When I got to Christchurch United, I really felt for the first time that football could be a career for me.”
After four seasons at Christchurch United, the Lincoln lad was invited to join the Phoenix academy, but admits that his first few years living away from home and boarding at Scott’s College were tough.
Partridge says he really found his feet when he started playing in the Phoenix Reserves under coach Chris Greenacre.
“I have really grown in the last three years, as a person and as a player and have a learned a lot from Greenie, who has been an important person in my development,” says Partridge, who was part of the New Zealand team that claimed the OFC U19 Championship last year, but was not selected for the squad that played at the recent FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
“I was in the wider training squad and had played at the qualifying tournament in Samoa, but missed out on that tournament, which was a trigger to start looking around for other options, because I did not want to put all my eggs in one basket.”
Partridge says he had opportunities to play in the State leagues in Australia, but the lure of playing back home was too great. He contacted Chief Executive Ryan Edwards and was invited for a trial match in October.
“Lewis made a strong impression at that trial, but obviously we already know him well from his time at Christchurch United and playing in the National League,” says Edwards.
“It was an easy decision to offer one of our own products the opportunity to play professional football.”
After five seasons working towards a career in the A-League, Partridge is excited to embark on a different pathway towards a professional career.
“If anything, it should motivate me more. This is a first step in the door of professional football that could lead to other things and will put our names out there a bit more.”
Partridge is eager to play in larger arenas and play in front of big crowds after getting a taste of the limelight against Wrexham, when a youthful Phoenix team defeated the Championship team in a packed out Sky Stadium.
“That was pretty surreal to play in that match and you didn’t need to motivate yourself when you see all those people in the stands,” says Partridge, who will also benefit from his experience playing in the islands with the New Zealand U19 side.
“It will be hot and humid and the pitches are not great. And from playing teams like Fiji, you know it will be a physical league. But I can’t wait to get out there.”