29.06.2009

Two current Western Australian players, and one former WA player have been selected as part of a 25 player squad to attend a training camp with the Qantas Next Young Socceroos.

Nicholas Feely and Alexander Pearson, both former Football West National Training Centre (NTC) Players and current Perth Glory Youth players, along with Mark Birighitti, who is now contracted to Adelaide United and has played with Football West's NTC program, have been chosen for the training camp in Sydney.

The three boys have been chosen by Qantas Next Young Socceroos Head Coach Jan Versleijen for the training camp, which will be held in preparation for the upcoming ASEAN Football Federation U19 Youth Championships.

The training camp will take place in Sydney from Monday 29 June to Thursday 2 July, and the boys will train alongside 25 of the best players in Australia in the U19 age group.

Head Coach Jan Versleijen is looking forward to working with these new players, in the hope that most of them will be in the team competing to qualify for the 2011 U20 FIFA World Cup.

"This is a new start for a new group of players that will now begin a two-year campaign to qualify for the 2011 FIFA U20 World Cup," said Versleijen.

Football West Education and Development Manager Andrew Bettell is pleased with the WA representation.

"It is always fantastic to see WA players make it into the national side, and these boys have had plenty of experience in competitive football within WA. Playing and training with the Next Young Socceroos will be a fantastic opportunity and experience for all three of these players."

The ASEAN Football Federation U19 Youth Championships will be held in Ho Chi Minh City from 4-16 August 2009. For more information, see the FFA website, www.footballaustralia.com.au.

For information about Football West development programs and the National Training Centre program, see the Education and Development section of the Football West website.

WA Next Young Socceroo Players: