Trials for Nike's ‘The Chance' initiative took place in Queensland the other week, in Victoria and New Zealand last week and will arrive in NSW and go back to New Zealand this week, and FourFourTwo will be in attendance to assess the top contenders from the Sydney trial.

The top 24 players from the regional trials will then descend on Canberra at the end of September to decide who will go over to England to play for the opportunity to join the Nike Academy in London.

The Nike Academy offers non-contract players unattached to professional clubs a chance to enter the professional game through world-class coaching and games against elite academies and professional reserve teams. Since the academy's start in 2009, eight players in the UK have received professional contracts.

The best 100 players from across 40 countries will then be invited to a final trial in England, where they will compete for one of eight international places in the Nike Academy. The eight who are chosen will have their expenses paid to come and live in the UK for a year starting in July 2011 and be a full-time member of the Nike Academy.

Three ANZ players who have caught the eye so far include Mohamed Mohamed, Jason Choi [pictured] and Jordan Cooper.

Whippersnapper Mohamed is just 17, from Melbourne and billed as an attacking midfielder comfortable with either foot, known for his range of passing, clinical at finishing and has the ability to keep calm under pressure.

Mohammed's coach rates his star player highly, "He always maintains composure when things go right, and when they don't he steps forward and stands up to the test".

Choi is a 21 striker also from Melbourne, who has been touted as a striker with great all round ability, strength on the ball and prowess in the air.

Finally, Cooper is the great All White hope - an 18 year old tricky winger from Wellington with quick feet and dribbling skills that make him a threat against any defence - a danger from anywhere on the pitch, Jordan is also a lethal from set-pieces.

To find out more about the lads and other ANZ or global, head to the players' profiles here. Check back online here too next week to see coach and player interviews, plus photo galleries, from the second Sydney trial.