You might not see it on prime time television, but up to 25 youngsters are currently chasing the dream with Brisbane Roar as trials for the National Youth League squad take place this month.
You might not see it on prime time television, but up to 25 youngsters are currently chasing the dream with Brisbane Roar as trials for the National Youth League squad take place this month.
The trials consist of two training sessions a week until the end of the month, when coach Rado Vidosic hopes finalise the squad.
With only five outfield places up for grabs, competition for places is fierce and Vidosic knows he faces some difficult decisions.
“I think they-re all enjoying the experience and they-re trying really hard which is making my job much harder,” he says.
“The number one thing that I-m looking for is that they have the ability to play at A-League level and obviously the younger they are, the more chance they-ve got to develop to that level.
“So the priority is for the younger boys but that doesn-t mean that we cannot sign someone who is 18 or 19 and give him the opportunity.”
One such 19-year-old is Johnny Stirling from Rochedale Rovers.
Stirling is fully aware of the tight competition for places, but hasn-t let that get to him.
“There-s no pressure,” he says. “Everyone wants a spot, we-re just trying to do our best and impress, that-s all you can do.”
The third-year electrician apprentice says it would be a dream to play for the Roar.
“It-s everybody-s dream to play professional football, I guess,” he says. “I-ve wanted to ever since I started.”
Alistair Quinn is another hoping to make the grade.
The Queensland Academy of Sport midfielder said the chance to play in the National Youth League was exciting.
“It-s very high quality,” he says. “I watched a few of the youth games last year and it was very good, it-s exciting.”
Although players are competing with each other, Jared Austin, another hopeful, says the atmosphere at the trials has been enjoyable.
“The training-s been intense and Rado-s a very good coach, so I-m enjoying the sessions,” the Brisbane City midfielder says.
“I-ve played with most of the boys before in Queensland representative teams. They-re a good bunch of boys and great to play with.”
For those who don-t make the cut this time, Vidosic says there will be further opportunities down the track.
“I know they are playing at their respective clubs we are going to keep relationships with those clubs,” he says.
“We-ll monitor them for the future and if they are the right age we will go back and have a look at them for the following season.”
