New Zealand football club Tauranga City AFC has teamed up with Lengo Football Academy, an Australian/Tanzanian-based organisation, to transform a FIFA World Cup dream into a reality for two young Kiwi football fanatics.

Jonty Burggraaf and Isla Ganley will attend the 2018 Football For Friendship programme in Moscow, giving New Zealand a prized presence in Russia during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Jonty will represent the country as a player, while Isla will attend as a young journalist with the two joining other 12-year-old football players and journalists from 211 countries and regions to participate in the eight-day programme.

'Lengo Football Academy is beyond excited by this opportunity to bring the joy of football and connectedness to young people in Tanzania, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands,” says Lengo Football Academy founder Emanuel Saakai.

'A highlight of the programme sees young people from all over the world attending the first game of the FIFA World Cup 2018 between Russia and Saudi Arabia. They'll also be part of the official opening ceremony at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.”

The opportunity has arisen as a result of Tauranga City AFC's ongoing work with football-for-good Australian-based organisation, Reagan Milstein Foundation.

RMF were approached by Lengo Football Academy in early 2018 to assist with putting together a large delegation from Tanzania, Australia and the Pacific region to travel to Moscow on an all-expenses paid trip.

'We're delighted that Jonty and Isla are representing us as we know they'll be perfect ambassadors for our club, region and country while in Russia. This opportunity is a sign that we are on track to build a club that the region and the country can be proud of,” says Tauranga City AFC chairman Brendon McHugh.

Jonty and Isla are excited about the opportunity to represent their club and country at the biggest event on the planet.

'I first played for my club at age four and am now in my ninth season. My grandfather represented New Zealand twice in rugby and softball so I want to do the same with football.

'Sport can be competitive but it should be about feeling good and promoting peace. We're all on the same planet and we really need to get along and live together peacefully,” says Jonty.

'I am very proud to be representing New Zealand at the F4F 2018 and am looking forward to having the opportunity to learn journalism skills and make new friends,” says Isla. 'We all deserve the right to be treated equally regardless of where we come from or who we are.”

The F4F programme promotes essential values embodied by football with the younger generation such as respect for other cultures and nationalities as well as equality.

The F4F programme will take place in Moscow, Russia from June 8-15.