Port Macquarie football players are readying themselves for the start of the Optus Seven Football Festival this week.
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Teams from local clubs and Eastcoast Academy will be taking on football academies from Forster, Grafton and Lismore at the Port Macquarie Hockey fields on September 29, 30 and October 1.
The under 10s and under 11s will play from 10am to 3pm during the first day. Under 12s and under 13s have the next day and the final outing will feature play from the under 14s and under 16s.
High level coaches such as Solomon Islands National Mens coach Vinicius Leite, North Coast Academy Football head coach Renan Fenerich and Port Macquarie's Tony Judge will be in attendance.
The Sevens competition is being followed up with a Brisbane Roar Football Club Three-on-Three Futsal Challenge from 10am to 3pm on October 6, 7 and 8 at Wauchope Indoor Stadium.
The Brisbane Roar launched their Port Macquarie academy in February this year, the first created outside Queensland.
BRFC Port Macquarie director Mick Day said the academy is inviting expressions of interest to join their 2021 season squads.
"We have evolved our plan and commitment to the players of the region in our search for unearthing future A-League, W-League, Matildas or Socceroos representatives," Mr Day said.
BRFC Talent ID Academy will start its term four program after the school holidays on October 13 to December 2. The academy also plans on hosting an under 4s to under 8s Little Roarers program and school holiday clinics.
BRFC Academy general manager Warren Moon, who also finished off the A-League season as head coach, said there is an opportunity to unearth talent in regional areas
"Whether they're playing for Brisbane Roar, Newcastle Jets or Sydney Football Club. If they're going to one day represent the Socceroos or the Matildas, I think we're doing our job," he said.
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