FOUR of Football Mid North Coast’s brightest young football talent will go under the spotlight at Coffs Harbour this weekend.
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Huon Lickley (under-13s), Jack Page, Taye Power O’Toole (under-14s) and Ian Matthews (Jets Academy) will head to Coffs Harbour for the National Youth Championships for Boys.
Lickley, Page and O’Toole will represent FMNC while Matthews has been called into the Newcastle Jets Academy squad following an injury to one of their members.
FMNC technical director Larry Budgen said Matthews’ call-up into the Jets squad was an indication of the progression he had made through the ranks.
“They were looking for attacking players so Ian got the nod,” Budgen said.
“We’d love to have him in our squad, but that’s the progression and the pathway that’s been created.”
The teenage quartet will be at the forefront of talent scouts’ minds from various Hyundai A-League clubs and Football Federation Australia representatives.
“It’s not just country players that are playing, it’s those involved in the Northern New South Wales Talent Support Program as well,” Budgen said.
“It’s everyone.”
Over 600 of the country’s best young male footballers will kick off their campaign on September 24.
The tournament involves 36 teams from around Australia, with over seven teams contesting in each age division.
The championships conclude on September 28 with the champions being decided before the presentation of trophies and medallions.