Tauranga's young Football for Friendship ambassadors have returned home from Moscow, amazed by their experiences at the global gathering ahead of Russia's FIFA World Cup.

Jonty Burggraaf and Isla Ganley, both members of Tauranga City Football Club, received all expenses paid trips to represent New Zealand at the international children's social programme, sponsored by Russian energy giant Gazprom, in the nation's capital.

The event was established to promote the values embodied by football with the younger generation, including respect for other cultures and nationalities, and equality.

Jonty represented New Zealand as a player, while Isla attended as a budding journalist, joining almost 1500 12 year old footballers and writers from 211 countries in the eight-day programme.

The pair were blown away at the size of the gathering, the friends they were able to make, and the experiences they enjoyed while in Russia.

'It's really amazing to see all the different countries to come and compete in the F4F programme,” says Isla.

'I've made loads of friends from all over the world. I have a friend called Majesty, Amir and a couple of friends both called Daniel!”

'Football is the biggest sport in the world, so many people play it,” Jonty adds.

'We're all on the same planet so if everyone just plays and gets along we can make lots of friends and have a better future,” he said.

One of the highlights for Jonty was the opportunity to play in ‘Team Magellanic Penguin' in the Football for Friendship World Championship, comprising teams named after animals on the verge of extinction to increase the interest of younger generations in saving endangered species.

While with the team Jonty and Isla were able to give them gifts from New Zealand Football and Tauranga City.

To cap off the programme, Jonty and Isla along with the other global participants were invited to attend the opening World Cup match in Moscow.

Lengo Football Academy and its local partner, Reagan Milstein Foundation, teamed up with the Football for Friendship organisation to bring to the opportunity to New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific.

Emanuel Saakai, founder and Director of Football at the Lengo academy, heaped praise on what was a once in a lifetime opportunity for the young Tauranga participants.

'What an incredible life-changing experience,” he says.

'Now they can take the F4F message to their peers and spread the message of peace and equality so they can grow together through the magic of football.”

The next Football for Friendship event will be held in 2019 with details to be announced soon.