A group of young football players will play an exhibition match against Wānaka Police this weekend to raise money to attend a professional football camp in Porirua in November.

The players range in age from 11-15 years and have been selected to attend the academy as part of an initiative by Wānaka AFC and the Olé Football Academy.

“The kids will go there for a week engrossed and immersed in academy life and train with the coaches and other elite kids from around the country,” Olé Football Academy coach Blair Scoullar said.

“They’re going to get a really fantastic football experience.”

The Olé Football Academy works locally with Wānaka AFC managing the clubs junior academy with a view to developing young football talent in the area.

“Olé is based in Porirua and has been around for 25 years producing world class players,” Blair said. 

“Seven to eight of the current All Whites squad have been through Olé.”

Funds raised from this weekend's match will offset travel and accommodation costs for the players while attending the week long football camp.

Spectators can support the players through a donation to watch, a sausage sizzle and raffle.

“It’ll go a long way to help these kids and give them a great experience,” Blair said. 

The fundraising match will take place this Saturday (October 1) at Kelly’s Flat at 1.30pm.

PHOTO: Supplied