For the first time in its footballing history Tasmania will send four players to the National Training Camps that provide the basis for the selection of the Australian Under 15 national team. The record number of selections was due to the player’s strong showing at last years Under 14 National Youth Championships held in Coffs Harbor, where they were identified by the FFA technical staff as potential future national team talent.
The four players selected were Ewan Larby and Antonio Saracino from South Hobart FC, Ben Curtis of Olympia and Fletcher Fulton from Launceston United. The four boys will be heading to the AIS in Canberra this weekend for the first of a number of training camps. The camps will be used to select the side that will represent Australia at the AFF U-15 Youth Championship in July, and then the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship Qualifiers.
Football Federation Tasmania’s Head NDC Coach, Kenny Weston, who has worked closely with the players over the past couple of seasons said the result was a boon to Tasmanian Football.
“What it shows is that Tasmania has four players in the top percentile of youngsters in the country in that age group. It backs up what I said when I first took up the job, that there is the opportunity for Tasmanian youngsters to play professionally. There is that talent here.”He said the credit for the great result should be shared around.
“Everyone has done a good job, the NDC coaches, the players club coaches, the parents and especially the players themselves, because ultimately it’s up to them.”
Weston suggested that success of fellow Tasmanian youngster Josh Hope, who is now with A-League outfit Melbourne Victory having previously captained the Joeys, had shown what was possible.
“It’s a great result for Tasmania. I think Josh Hope, getting picked as captain of the Joey’s provided some belief to the lads down here, it showed them what was possible.”