“As a player, you’re generally limited in how you can get yourself noticed, aside from the state training institutes,” Aaidan McWilliams, the winner of the Brisbane leg, told au.fourfourtwo.com today.

“I reckon any PR is good PR for football in this country. And shows like this give you players under 21 a good showcase. It’s a good idea.”

McWilliams, 18, plays as an attacking central midfielder for Surfers in the Gold Coast football league. Although he’s missed out on national youth selection he’s on the fringes of the Queensland state team.

He also supports Queensland Roar in the A-League and is hopeful his region is accepted into the A-League sooner rather than later.

“All my mates and me we go up to watch the Roar in Brisbane. But the Gold Coast is a big area and it would be great if we had our own A-League franchise.”

As for the winner gaining a contract with Sydney FC, the Queenslander said state rivalries don’t come into it. “Honestly it doesn’t matter.”

He describes the TV show as being “scary”. “It’s all shot live so you have to deal with the pressure of that. You’ve got to take your chance."

The players are put through various drills to find out the best of the bunch. They then go onto a selection week where the top 50 are whittled down to the final 15.

“It comes down to who can handle that pressure. There are cameras everywhere shooting you live."

And McWilliams is serious about winning football superstar. “I’ll be working my arse off over the next few weeks to get through the selection week and into the final 15. I really want it.

“I wouldn’t have entered if I didn’t think I could make it in the A-League.”

For more information, log onto http://fox8.tv/footballsuperstar.

Remaining trials are at:

Perth: Sunday 27 April 2008 at BGC Stadium, Dorrien
Gardens, 3 Lawley Street, North Perth WA;

Adelaide: Sunday 4 May 2008 at Marden Stadium, 65
Lower Portrush Road, Marden SA;

Sydney: Sunday 11 May 2008 at Macquarie University
Sports Field, Corner of Talavera Road and Culloden Road,
Marsfield, Sydney, NSW 2109.