A team of Aussie youngsters are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime as they head to China for the largest international youth tournament in the world.
Featuring more than 1400 teams, representing 80 countries across 4,550 games it’s guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience for the 15 lads from Victoria.
But they’re not going there just to make up the numbers.
The Northcote City Football Club U13s are aiming to make history by becoming the first Australian team to lift the Gothia Cup.
Started in 1975 in Sweden, the event has been dubbed the World Youth Cup by FIFA. The sister tornament in China was launched last year.
Coach Jim Peios said while his team have had a great start to the year, the players need to stay focused over the next few months as they prepare for the week-long sporting event which kicks off in Shenyang on August 13.
“The tournament will be a great experience for these boys, to be exposed to and play against some of the best teams from around the world,” Peios said.
“The opportunity these boys will have by playing in this tournament is something they will never forget.
“More importantly, an experience like this will provide them with more knowledge and skills about themselves, their teammates and the game.”
The Thornbury-based players will be exposed to some of the world’s best youth players, treated to an Olympic style opening, and play and train on several top-class fields.
It’s a far cry from their normal footy facilities. Last year the team trained in a paddock, without proper lighting and still managed to dominate their rivals.
Last year they won the National Premier League East division (U12s), and only last month took out the Pans Hellenic Cup.
But that’s nothing to what awaits them. Peios added: “It will be such a wonderful experience on so many levels.
“Some of these boys don’t even have a passport, so even going through that process will be a learning experience.”
To get there the team needs to raise $10,000 and have set up a gofundme page which can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/our-northcote-fc-u13-lads-to-china
