Aaron Clapham
Encyclopedia
Aaron Clapham is a New Zealand
association footballer who plays for Canterbury United FC
and the New Zealand national football team having been selected in their squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
in South Africa.
where he spent 2 seasons, scoring 8 times in 37 appearances. He then moved to Australia
, joining Dandenong Thunder
in the Victorian Premier League
.
Clapham has played 17 times for Canterbury United having scored 6 goals from the centre of midfield. His first goal came in his club's 2-0 victory over Waikato on the 8 November 2009. Having helped his side to 4th in the New Zealand Football Championship
and progressing to the final of the knock-out stages, he was awarded 'New Zealand Football Championship Player of the Year' for the 2009-10 season.
On February 7, 2011 he signed a one game loan deal from Canterbury United
to play for Wellington Phoenix in the Hyundai A-League.
level where he represented New Zealand at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup
in Canada.
After impressing for NZFC franchise Canterbury United
during the 2009-10 season
, Clapham was selected as a part of an 15-man World Cup training camp for Australian and New Zealand-based players. Following a strong performance for New Zealand 'A' against a NZFC Select XI at the conclusion of the camp on 8 May 2010, Clapham was named as a surprise call up by All Whites coach Ricki Herbert
for New Zealand's 2010 FIFA World Cup
campaign.
Clapham made his official international debut on 10 October 2010 when he came on as a late substitute in his country's 1-1 draw with Honduras
.
also represented New Zealand internationally, making 3 appearances for the New Zealand senior women's team.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
association footballer who plays for Canterbury United FC
Canterbury United
Canterbury United FC is an association football club from Christchurch, New Zealand. The club plays most of its matches at English Park in Christchurch, though they occasionally play in Nelson...
and the New Zealand national football team having been selected in their squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
in South Africa.
Club career
In 2005 Clapham accepted a football scholarship at St Francis University before joining University of LouisvilleUniversity of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
where he spent 2 seasons, scoring 8 times in 37 appearances. He then moved to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, joining Dandenong Thunder
Dandenong Thunder
Dandenong Thunder SC is a football club from Dandenong, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. They are an Albanian Australian-backed club. From the 2009 season they compete in the Victorian Premier League, which is one tier below the A-League...
in the Victorian Premier League
Victorian Premier League
The Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
.
Clapham has played 17 times for Canterbury United having scored 6 goals from the centre of midfield. His first goal came in his club's 2-0 victory over Waikato on the 8 November 2009. Having helped his side to 4th in the New Zealand Football Championship
New Zealand Football Championship
The New Zealand Football Championship is the national association football league in New Zealand. It is a professional/semi-professional status Association football sports Franchise league that is operated by New Zealand Football...
and progressing to the final of the knock-out stages, he was awarded 'New Zealand Football Championship Player of the Year' for the 2009-10 season.
On February 7, 2011 he signed a one game loan deal from Canterbury United
Canterbury United
Canterbury United FC is an association football club from Christchurch, New Zealand. The club plays most of its matches at English Park in Christchurch, though they occasionally play in Nelson...
to play for Wellington Phoenix in the Hyundai A-League.
International career
Clapham has earned national representation at Under-20New Zealand national under-20 football team
The New Zealand Under 20's football team, more commonly known as the Junior All Whites, is controlled by New Zealand Football and represents New Zealand in international Under 20 or youth football competitions.-OFC:...
level where he represented New Zealand at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup
2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the sixteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup , hosted by Canada from June 30 to July 22, 2007. Argentina defeated Czech Republic in the title game by the score of 2–1, thus managing a back-to-back world title, its fifth in the past seven editions, and sixth...
in Canada.
After impressing for NZFC franchise Canterbury United
Canterbury United
Canterbury United FC is an association football club from Christchurch, New Zealand. The club plays most of its matches at English Park in Christchurch, though they occasionally play in Nelson...
during the 2009-10 season
New Zealand Football Championship 2009-10
-Participating clubs:Canterbury United had initially announced in mid June they would not be competing. However they revoked their decision within two weeks and re-entered the competition. There was also hope from some parties to have a youth/reserve team for Wellington Phoenix FC to participate in...
, Clapham was selected as a part of an 15-man World Cup training camp for Australian and New Zealand-based players. Following a strong performance for New Zealand 'A' against a NZFC Select XI at the conclusion of the camp on 8 May 2010, Clapham was named as a surprise call up by All Whites coach Ricki Herbert
Ricki Herbert
Ricki Lloyd Herbert, CNZM is a New Zealand former association football player who represented his country at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain...
for New Zealand's 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
campaign.
Clapham made his official international debut on 10 October 2010 when he came on as a late substitute in his country's 1-1 draw with Honduras
Honduras national football team
The Honduran national football team, nicknamed Los Catrachos, La Bicolor or La H, is the national team of Honduras and is controlled by the Federación Nacional Autónoma de Fútbol de Honduras...
.
Personal life
His sister Sara ClaphamSara Clapham
Sara Clapham is a former association football player who represented New Zealand at international level.Clapham made her Football Ferns début in a 0-2 loss to Australia on 18 February 2004, and finished her international career with three caps to her credit.Her brother Aaron Clapham was included...
also represented New Zealand internationally, making 3 appearances for the New Zealand senior women's team.