Cody Charlesworth and Joe Talbut would play and practice soccer every second of every day if they had the chance.
Both love the sport, having played since young boys and now they have an opportunity of a lifetime ahead of them.
Both have been selected in a 32-member squad to tour the United Kingdom as part of a partnership between the West Ham Foundation and international soccer icon George Cowie.
The journey to be a member of the touring team came after a two-day training camp at Valentine where 472 players were selected to travel to Southport on the Gold Coast for a national trial that attracted 6800 players.
From there just 32 were selected and Cody and Joe could not believe their luck when their names appeared among the lucky few.
The tour will include playing games against teams from the United Kingdom in the Under 16s and 17s age groups, coaching sessions with West Ham United, Watford, Bolton and Hearts.
They are equally excited to experience the atmosphere when they attend five professional games: Millwall versus Southampton, Liverpool versus West Ham, Hearts v Kilmarnock, Manchester City v Sunderland, QPR v Birmingham.
Cody can’t quite believe he has this trip ahead of him and thanks his grass roots with Singleton Strikers for giving him every opportunity to enjoy his sport.
“We will see some top teams play, meet some of the top players and learn off them,” Cody said.
Cody had a busy season playing in both the Under 15s and stepping up to the Under 16s every week with his own age group finishing in fifth spot on the ladder.
Meanwhile Joe’s team made the semi finals before stepping out of the competition.
Both boys will be accompanied by their fathers on the journey. Joe’s dad, Keith, having played soccer as a lad, said it is an opportunity he would have bitten his right hand off for.
“Both the boys realise it is an opportunity, it is not a trial, but you never know who might be watching them, it is an opportunity few players get to have and they thoroughly respect it,” Keith said.
Joe and Cody dream of one day playing the sport they love professionally and are already looking forward to the preseason training with the Strikers set to kick off at the end of this year in preparation for next season.
Cody has set up a go fund me page for anyone in a position to support his trip.
-DI SNEDDON
