Sarpreet Singh and Max Mata have been awarded a football scholarship to the Phoenix academy to develop their skills.

Winston Reid has already written his fair share of pages in New Zealand's footballing history, but he wants to make sure his chapters are not the last.

The All Whites captain and West Ham United defender has opened up his wallet to fund a new annual scholarship that will help two young Kiwi footballers make it to the big time by attending the Wellington Phoenix Football Academy at Scots College in Wellington.

"I've been very privileged in life that I've had the opportunity to do this, so for me personally it's the least I can do," Reid said via video link from London.

GETTY IMAGES Kiwi Winston Reid, left, in action for West Ham against Arsenal earlier this month.

"I hope there's a lot more young players [from New Zealand] in the next generation who will come over here and succeed and hopefully do better than I've done and maybe even push on to a higher level."

The first two recipients of the Winston Reid Scholarship were unveiled by the Phoenix on Tuesday as young Aucklanders Sarpreet Singh, 16, and Max Mata, 15.

Both were buzzing after a Skype chat with Reid, who moved to Denmark at age 10 and came up through the youth ranks at FC Midtjylland before joining West Ham in the wake of his 2010 World Cup heroics with the All Whites.

MAARTEN HOLL/ FAIRFAX NZ Young Kiwi football talents Sarpreet Singh, 16, and Max Mata, 15, have been handed a shot at the big time in the form of a scholarship funded by All Whites captain Winston Reid.

His advice to the pair was not just about football. "You'll have to learn how to cook by yourself. You can't rely on mum's food any more if you want to make it overseas," he joked with the boys.

"It's going to be tough, but eventually you guys will get there. Just listen to your teachers, listen to your coaches, and your parents as well."

Sarpreet, an attacking midfielder who has played for the New Zealand under-17 side, said a professional football contract was his dream, and to be part of the Wellington Phoenix was a great feeling.

"We get to train with the first team occasionally, and you can never get training as good as that anywhere else in the country, so it's a good start."

Mata, a striker who has played age-grade football for the New Zealand A team, said talking to Reid was a real motivation. "It just makes me want to be a pro even more."

Wellington Phoenix general manager David Dome said the scholarship came about during West Ham's tour of New Zealand last year, when Reid mentioned he wanted to do something to help increase the football talent back home.

The Premiership star will donate $25,000 each year for the two scholarships, which are also subsidised by the Phoenix and Scots College.

The funding will cover school fees, accommodation and the cost of attending the Phoenix academy.

The Winston Reid scholarship is a boon for Scots College, which also offers a basketball scholarship, paid for by ex-pupil and Kiwi NBA star Steven Adams.

Headmaster Graeme Yule said the idea behind both scholarships was the same: to provide talented youths with a solid academic grounding so they could access pathways such the United States college system.

"What's important is that these kids work hard inside and outside the classroom, so they've got a Plan B and can make it academically."