Hyundai A-League clubs will this weekend unite together to aid The Cure Brain Cancer Foundation in its efforts to raise $1 million to go towards invaluable research through the Kick it for Cancer fundraiser.
Currently, the chances of surviving brain cancer are as bleak as they were 30 years ago.
It’s a fact current PhD student and Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young, who took the time to visit a research facility at the University of Queensland on Wednesday, finds devastating.
“A fact like that with such a low chance of survival is sad, but when you have good people working to try advance science, hopefully those advances can improve the chances of overcoming these conditions,” Young said.
“I don’t think many people understand the nature of those types of illnesses. They can come to anybody and I think these scientists are doing a terrific job in trying to understand why these things occur.”
Young, who has recently signed a new contract one-year deal with the club, is the Hyundai A-League’s most in-form shot-stopper.
No keeper has made Save of the Week more, and his save percentage is unparalleled.
His secret? Studying, and learning from, the best.
“The big thing I have been trying to focus on is the moments in the game where you have to stand up and answer the questions. So far it has been good, but there is a lot left in this season and I want to be able to keep answering those questions,” Young said.
“I like to watch clips of keepers who have been so consistent for so long, like Gianluigi Buffon, or even David de Gea at the moment.
“I look at where they’re making saves and how they’re making them. I saw De Gea had very little to do in his game on the weekend, but suddenly he had two saves in about a minute and he just turned it on.
“It’s quite inspiring.”
And young will hope to be at his best as Roar face a season-defining clash against Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday.
A win against the Wanderers at ANZ Stadium would put John Aloisi’s troops in the box seat for an eighth consecutive finals appearances.
“It’s important that we focus on how to keep this momentum going. It’s all about performing well – if we do, we obviously have more chance of winning the game. It’s all about out-performing the Wanderers and we’re confident we can do that this weekend,” Young said.
“If we keep putting in good performances and getting positive results, we don’t have to worry about other games.
“We’ve taken it one game at a time this season and if we stick to that strategy, I’m sure it will be a good result for us.”
