Sydney-based Dunbar Rovers competes in the NPL 3 competition and has an unique football program in that the players they choose are based on their talent rather than if they can afford to pay fees.

As a result of being promoted to the NPL3 from the State League in 2015, the club had to accommodate youth teams and it was then that Dunbar decided to offer a fee-free payment structure.

And Rovers Director Matt Delves believes that in a decade the club could produce its first national team player.

“Our goal is within 10 years we’d love to see a Socceroo come through our program or have been part of Dunbar Rovers,” he said.

“Our core belief is that we don’t want the Socceroos to miss out on talented kids.

“In a competitive landscape with multiple football codes we want the Socceroos to be successful as possible and part of that is making sure that kids at youth level don’t miss out on chasing their dream on that NPL youth path way because of that financial aspect."

Delves says that the biggest thrill is giving young footballers a chance to follow their dreams without money being an obstacle.

“We’ve got a number of kids that may not be able to afford it so that’s a really proud moment when we are be able to provide them with an opportunity,” he said.

“We’ve got a range of ethnicities as well which is great. From people who are new to the country, to Indigenous kids and kids that wouldn’t necessarily be able to afford the NPL fees that are associated with it.”

Ahmad Taleb is one of the kids that without Dunbar Rovers may not have had an opportunity to play football and now the 16-year-old has been given chance, he is thriving.

In just 13 rounds Ahmad has scored 29 goals for both the Under 16 and Under 18 teams - more than any other player in any NPL grade in NSW and Delves says it’s a mark of the program’s success.   

"Ahmad wasn't given an opportunity by any NPL 1 clubs,” he said.

“So he ended up playing park football last year. This year he trialed for Dunbar Rovers and was selected and this year he is scoring plenty of goals.

“The other interesting set up around the club and the make-up of our coaches is a number of NPL 1 clubs have asked Ahmed to go and join them and to date Ahmed has said he wants to stay at Dunbar.”

Meanwhile Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou, believes the NPL club’s program will thrive because it’s about developing players.

“With Dunbar Rovers this is something that is going to grow,” he said.

 “Because people understand it’s great idea and they are doing things for the right reasons, it’s not so much about getting results on the field as it about giving opportunities to young people.”