December 12, 2025 • 10 mins
At just 20 years old, Isa Prins is fast ticking off significant footballing achievements.
The Wellington Olympic midfielder was the Central League's player of the year, and was also named player of the match after scoring in the Chatham Cup grand final.
He joins Adam Cooper to preview Saturday's National League final against Auckland City.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The big plays, bold opinions of football, the Allsport breakfasted
with Adam Cooper News Talks MB twenty seven past eight
on the All Sport Breakfasts or the National League Football
Men's Crown for twenty twenty five will be decided right
here in Wellington this evening. What a beautiful day for
it too, and a nice evening ahead. Newtown Park will
(00:22):
play host to Wellington Olympic who will be up against
Auckland City for the twenty twenty five National League Final.
So yes, quite remarkable. Rarely Olympic were in second last week.
They had the win over Mirramar Rangers who were top,
so they snatched top spot and then Auckland had it
convincing win over Coastal Spirits, so they get into the
(00:45):
Grand Final as well. So this rivalry continues one winter
piece each between these two sides where they have met
in previous National League finals, so it's another chapter in
their rivalry to be written at Newtown Park tonight. Joining
us now is one of Wellington's most young up and
coming most promising footballer is iSER Prince, midfielder at Wellington
(01:08):
Olympic Central League Player of the Year this year across
the whole competition. He was named player of the Final
after scoring and the Chatham Cup decided for Olympic as
well this year. So certainly someone that's been talked about
a lot and got a very promising future ahead. Er
Prince joins us now here on the show. Morning to you, Isa,
Thanks for your time, Mateen well first scene, this weather continues.
(01:29):
Another hot day expected today in Wellington. Mate, it's been
a boming week. How's that been sort of training in
hot Wellington weather over the past few days, it.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Has been a lot different. It has been a lot different.
It's been. Yeah, we've been training in the evening but
it's still like twenty twenty one degrees at that time
and the sun is just beening on us.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
The amazing week of weather. We'll I So let's talk
about last weekend, because you came into the derby with
Mirimar Rangers in the final round and second on the table.
They were first, one point ahead and obviously you guys
clinched the win to get entry into the final and
of course the hosting rights tell us how it played
out last weekend in the dramatic final rounds game.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Yeah, that was a crazy game. I remember when Gully
got sent off as now we're going to be Now
we're going to be a bit in for it, and
going in at halftime, I remember Paul Ecor giving us
the chat that we're going to do well and we
just got a fight for it. Captain gave us a
good chat and we pulled through with an amazing hitter
(02:35):
from Joey Lakes to show up and games like that.
So yeah, it was great to get the win and
just snatch it away and make the final again.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Yeah. Great. Olympics had such a consistent season, obviously taking
out Central League, taking out Chatham Cup, but it looked
as though there were a few results not going your way.
So to come come the later stages of the round
robin before last week, can he kind of just explain
where things were for you guys and those that last
month or so of the round robin.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Well, in the National League, they added a bye week,
so I think since our bye week, we didn't come
back as strong as we came into the bye week.
So yeah, there was a lot of different circumstances as well,
like our flights got canceled, our games got moved, one
of our games got rained off, But yeah, we weren't
(03:20):
as strong as we wanted to be, but we just
worked on it. We just kept doing what we're doing,
and then we managed to get back to it again luckily.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
And alcan City. We know the history that sort of
played out a couple of national leagues between the National
League finals between you and them over the years, won
apiece as well. Tell us how excited everyone is for
the next chapter of the rivalry between these two teams
in a big final like this.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Yeah, well, we know we faced them so many times.
A few of the boys have played them for about
like ten fifteen years. Some of the players in that
team they've just played against each other. So the boys, Yeah,
the boys are definitely up for it. We're excited.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Does much change getting you know, preparing for a final
now or have you sort of had to play with
us must win attitude over the past few weeks.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Yeah, we've had. Yeah, with the way our results went
during National League and us dropping points. We the past
two to three games, we've basically just called it a
Chatham Cup final because we've stayed undefeated in Chatham Cup
for the past two years. So we're just making sure
that we stay on that. Winning one set and.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
You've had an amazing season yourself on the fields ISA
Central League Player of the Year, your goal scoring form
has been fantastic and of course player of the Match
in Olympics victorious Chatham Cup final earlier in the season
as well. How proud are you of what you've been
able to achieve on the field in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Yeah, I'm definitely happy. I'm glad that I can help
out the boys and you score, assist and just keep
playing like with a lot of passion and grit. I
feel like that's definitely helped me this season, like the
boys around me have definitely helped. But yeah, I love it.
I think it's great. I think it's only up from here,
so I'm really enjoying it.
Speaker 1 (05:07):
As you've got I guess more successful, more teams probably
are pretty aware of you. Have you noticed that teams
have sort of focused on you a little bit more,
especially as you came back into this season. Yeah? Yeah,
in a way, how do you deal with that?
Speaker 2 (05:23):
I just keep playing, keep playing the way I am.
I feel like just instinct, I just try and try
and just keep playing the way I am. I don't
really change much. I just do different things.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Do you measure your success on those those numbers like
the goals that the assists or how do you sort
of look back on a game knowing that you gave
it a full shift?
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Well, it's just on how many times I really lose
the ball. I like to look at last like the
season before. As long as I'm better than I was
the season before, then I feel like I'm just proud
of myself and that because that's a year difference.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
And you obviously made the journey over from stop out
a couple of years ago. Now Olympics had such a
successful run. What have you learned most? Do you think?
And then the few seasons now with Olympic about what
makes a successful team that's dominating nationally.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
I feel like it's definitely the fan base. They help
so much, Like a lot of them are very passionate.
They give us some good true words when they have
a couple of drinks in them. But yeah, I feel
like it's also the people around you, the coaches, Like
it's definitely a step up from stop out, you know,
getting coach under Paul Rifle now, so they just have
a lot of like experience playing with a lot of experience,
(06:33):
like great players. I feel like that definitely helps the
way you play because the standard just lifts so much.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
In terms of keeping those high standards when it's such
a long season. I mean, it was the end of
last summer when your first games of the Central League
were now were at the start of another summer. It's
almost Christmas time. How do you make sure you are
staying refreshed, doing the right conditioning and not like the
other clubs where you know you had Chatham cuppers as well,
right to the in face.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Yeah, it's definitely just comes down to the recovery part.
I reckon like, you've got to take recovery very serious,
especially since the season is so long. Like foot, we
can definitely get tiring over time. But when you recover
and you keep winning games, keep working hard, then I
think it just comes. You just keep enjoying it, You
keep enjoying and having that winning mindset, you know.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
And six o'clock kick off this weekend, which would be
a bit nicer given the tea bass we've got at
the moment. How exciting is it just to be able
to have this one at home Newtown Park up would
be a good crowd there cheering on the team.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Yeah, it's good. I think it's so good for Olympic
as well, like just having having a final and Wellington
will be great. Like you know, we most of the
time we travel up to Auckland for finals and we
don't really have that upper hand even if we do
come first. So I think it's going to be. I
think it's I think it's definitely going to be a good,
good sized crowd, a good amount of Olympic supporters, and
it's going to be We're definitely going to have an
(07:56):
upper hand in the game.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Wonderful. You guys have got used to winning right Central
League this year, Chatham Cup last year, and obviously everything
that's come to this this club over the last few
years as well. But it's the excitement still there at
a chance of yet another trophy to finish off the year.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Yeah one, Like I don't know if many teams have
got one their league, Chatham Cup and the National League.
So all three, so I think I think the boys
are definitely up to win all three to put it
in the history books. So yeah, we're definitely wanting to
win this game.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
And I saw obviously you are sort of getting talked
about a fair bit around around the footballing scene here
with some of your performances consistently as well. You mentioned
your sort of you know, wanting to do as best
you can improve every season and talk about what next.
What kind of ambitions do you have with your football?
I guess, you know, if you sort of cast your
eye ahead a year or two, I.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Definitely want to go as far as I can. You know,
I want to I want to keep working hard. I
want to do the best I can for the team
I'm in at the time. And yeah, I think I
think opportunities will just come themselves if I keep, you know,
putting in the work and making sure that I stay that.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
And futsal, you've had some great success with that as well,
You've kept that up alongside your continued success in the
eleven a side game. How has that helped you as
a footballer overall by by continuing to play football as well?
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Yeah, I think futsal is great. It's so fun. It's
a good thing to do over the summer, just to
you know, keep your keep your eye coordination with the ball.
And just like I think it's good because it helps
me dribble, helps me in tight situations, especially in futsal
and most of all the fitness is crazy and foots
so you've got to run just NonStop exactly.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Well, I saw we're on behalf of everyone listening here
in Wellington this morning, obviously wishing you and your Olympic
team all the very best. Be great to get a
good crowd along this evening and also see another trophy
stay in a local team's cabinet for the summer. So
I appreciate you to chatting mate, and congrats on the
season so far and all the very best getting another
one under the belt.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Thank you very much, Thanks so much for having me
for more from News Talk set B.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
Listen live on air or online, and keep our shows
with you wherever you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
The big plays, bold opinions of football, the Allsport breakfasted
with Adam Cooper News Talks MB twenty seven past eight
on the All Sport Breakfasts or the National League Football
Men's Crown for twenty twenty five will be decided right
here in Wellington this evening. What a beautiful day for
it too, and a nice evening ahead. Newtown Park will
(00:22):
play host to Wellington Olympic who will be up against
Auckland City for the twenty twenty five National League Final.
So yes, quite remarkable. Rarely Olympic were in second last week.
They had the win over Mirramar Rangers who were top,
so they snatched top spot and then Auckland had it
convincing win over Coastal Spirits, so they get into the
(00:45):
Grand Final as well. So this rivalry continues one winter
piece each between these two sides where they have met
in previous National League finals, so it's another chapter in
their rivalry to be written at Newtown Park tonight. Joining
us now is one of Wellington's most young up and
coming most promising footballer is iSER Prince, midfielder at Wellington
(01:08):
Olympic Central League Player of the Year this year across
the whole competition. He was named player of the Final
after scoring and the Chatham Cup decided for Olympic as
well this year. So certainly someone that's been talked about
a lot and got a very promising future ahead. Er
Prince joins us now here on the show. Morning to you, Isa,
Thanks for your time, Mateen well first scene, this weather continues.
(01:29):
Another hot day expected today in Wellington. Mate, it's been
a boming week. How's that been sort of training in
hot Wellington weather over the past few days, it.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Has been a lot different. It has been a lot different.
It's been. Yeah, we've been training in the evening but
it's still like twenty twenty one degrees at that time
and the sun is just beening on us.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
The amazing week of weather. We'll I So let's talk
about last weekend, because you came into the derby with
Mirimar Rangers in the final round and second on the table.
They were first, one point ahead and obviously you guys
clinched the win to get entry into the final and
of course the hosting rights tell us how it played
out last weekend in the dramatic final rounds game.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Yeah, that was a crazy game. I remember when Gully
got sent off as now we're going to be Now
we're going to be a bit in for it, and
going in at halftime, I remember Paul Ecor giving us
the chat that we're going to do well and we
just got a fight for it. Captain gave us a
good chat and we pulled through with an amazing hitter
(02:35):
from Joey Lakes to show up and games like that.
So yeah, it was great to get the win and
just snatch it away and make the final again.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Yeah. Great. Olympics had such a consistent season, obviously taking
out Central League, taking out Chatham Cup, but it looked
as though there were a few results not going your way.
So to come come the later stages of the round
robin before last week, can he kind of just explain
where things were for you guys and those that last
month or so of the round robin.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Well, in the National League, they added a bye week,
so I think since our bye week, we didn't come
back as strong as we came into the bye week.
So yeah, there was a lot of different circumstances as well,
like our flights got canceled, our games got moved, one
of our games got rained off, But yeah, we weren't
(03:20):
as strong as we wanted to be, but we just
worked on it. We just kept doing what we're doing,
and then we managed to get back to it again luckily.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
And alcan City. We know the history that sort of
played out a couple of national leagues between the National
League finals between you and them over the years, won
apiece as well. Tell us how excited everyone is for
the next chapter of the rivalry between these two teams
in a big final like this.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Yeah, well, we know we faced them so many times.
A few of the boys have played them for about
like ten fifteen years. Some of the players in that
team they've just played against each other. So the boys, Yeah,
the boys are definitely up for it. We're excited.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Does much change getting you know, preparing for a final
now or have you sort of had to play with
us must win attitude over the past few weeks.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Yeah, we've had. Yeah, with the way our results went
during National League and us dropping points. We the past
two to three games, we've basically just called it a
Chatham Cup final because we've stayed undefeated in Chatham Cup
for the past two years. So we're just making sure
that we stay on that. Winning one set and.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
You've had an amazing season yourself on the fields ISA
Central League Player of the Year, your goal scoring form
has been fantastic and of course player of the Match
in Olympics victorious Chatham Cup final earlier in the season
as well. How proud are you of what you've been
able to achieve on the field in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Yeah, I'm definitely happy. I'm glad that I can help
out the boys and you score, assist and just keep
playing like with a lot of passion and grit. I
feel like that's definitely helped me this season, like the
boys around me have definitely helped. But yeah, I love it.
I think it's great. I think it's only up from here,
so I'm really enjoying it.
Speaker 1 (05:07):
As you've got I guess more successful, more teams probably
are pretty aware of you. Have you noticed that teams
have sort of focused on you a little bit more,
especially as you came back into this season. Yeah? Yeah,
in a way, how do you deal with that?
Speaker 2 (05:23):
I just keep playing, keep playing the way I am.
I feel like just instinct, I just try and try
and just keep playing the way I am. I don't
really change much. I just do different things.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Do you measure your success on those those numbers like
the goals that the assists or how do you sort
of look back on a game knowing that you gave
it a full shift?
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Well, it's just on how many times I really lose
the ball. I like to look at last like the
season before. As long as I'm better than I was
the season before, then I feel like I'm just proud
of myself and that because that's a year difference.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
And you obviously made the journey over from stop out
a couple of years ago. Now Olympics had such a
successful run. What have you learned most? Do you think?
And then the few seasons now with Olympic about what
makes a successful team that's dominating nationally.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
I feel like it's definitely the fan base. They help
so much, Like a lot of them are very passionate.
They give us some good true words when they have
a couple of drinks in them. But yeah, I feel
like it's also the people around you, the coaches, Like
it's definitely a step up from stop out, you know,
getting coach under Paul Rifle now, so they just have
a lot of like experience playing with a lot of experience,
(06:33):
like great players. I feel like that definitely helps the
way you play because the standard just lifts so much.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
In terms of keeping those high standards when it's such
a long season. I mean, it was the end of
last summer when your first games of the Central League
were now were at the start of another summer. It's
almost Christmas time. How do you make sure you are
staying refreshed, doing the right conditioning and not like the
other clubs where you know you had Chatham cuppers as well,
right to the in face.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Yeah, it's definitely just comes down to the recovery part.
I reckon like, you've got to take recovery very serious,
especially since the season is so long. Like foot, we
can definitely get tiring over time. But when you recover
and you keep winning games, keep working hard, then I
think it just comes. You just keep enjoying it, You
keep enjoying and having that winning mindset, you know.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
And six o'clock kick off this weekend, which would be
a bit nicer given the tea bass we've got at
the moment. How exciting is it just to be able
to have this one at home Newtown Park up would
be a good crowd there cheering on the team.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Yeah, it's good. I think it's so good for Olympic
as well, like just having having a final and Wellington
will be great. Like you know, we most of the
time we travel up to Auckland for finals and we
don't really have that upper hand even if we do
come first. So I think it's going to be. I
think it's I think it's definitely going to be a good,
good sized crowd, a good amount of Olympic supporters, and
it's going to be We're definitely going to have an
(07:56):
upper hand in the game.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Wonderful. You guys have got used to winning right Central
League this year, Chatham Cup last year, and obviously everything
that's come to this this club over the last few
years as well. But it's the excitement still there at
a chance of yet another trophy to finish off the year.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Yeah one, Like I don't know if many teams have
got one their league, Chatham Cup and the National League.
So all three, so I think I think the boys
are definitely up to win all three to put it
in the history books. So yeah, we're definitely wanting to
win this game.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
And I saw obviously you are sort of getting talked
about a fair bit around around the footballing scene here
with some of your performances consistently as well. You mentioned
your sort of you know, wanting to do as best
you can improve every season and talk about what next.
What kind of ambitions do you have with your football?
I guess, you know, if you sort of cast your
eye ahead a year or two, I.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Definitely want to go as far as I can. You know,
I want to I want to keep working hard. I
want to do the best I can for the team
I'm in at the time. And yeah, I think I
think opportunities will just come themselves if I keep, you know,
putting in the work and making sure that I stay that.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
And futsal, you've had some great success with that as well,
You've kept that up alongside your continued success in the
eleven a side game. How has that helped you as
a footballer overall by by continuing to play football as well?
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Yeah, I think futsal is great. It's so fun. It's
a good thing to do over the summer, just to
you know, keep your keep your eye coordination with the ball.
And just like I think it's good because it helps
me dribble, helps me in tight situations, especially in futsal
and most of all the fitness is crazy and foots
so you've got to run just NonStop exactly.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Well, I saw we're on behalf of everyone listening here
in Wellington this morning, obviously wishing you and your Olympic
team all the very best. Be great to get a
good crowd along this evening and also see another trophy
stay in a local team's cabinet for the summer. So
I appreciate you to chatting mate, and congrats on the
season so far and all the very best getting another
one under the belt.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Thank you very much, Thanks so much for having me
for more from News Talk set B.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
Listen live on air or online, and keep our shows
with you wherever you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Betrayal: Weekly
Betrayal Weekly is back for a brand new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack. And make sure to check out Seasons 1-4 of Betrayal, along with Betrayal Weekly Season 1.