‘The Chance’ is a unique global football talent search that gives young amateur footballers from around the world the chance to prove themselves on an elite stage and take their game to the highest level.

Created to support talented youngsters who are not currently in the professional game, ‘The Chance’ will allow the best young footballers to train and play at the leading facilities in world football, showcase their skills in front of elite coaches and mentors, and develop and improve their talent, with one aim; to get noticed. 

Players from 55 countries around the world including Australia will take part in ‘The Chance’ trials in 2012. The best 100 players from these trials, watched by top Nike coaches, will then travel to a global final in Spain, to be held at FC Barcelona’s famed youth academy. In Barcelona, they will experience world class facilities, elite coaching, and input from nutritionists, psychologists and fitness conditioners as they progress in the program. 

‘The Chance’ was first launched in 2010, with Australian Tom Rogic one of eight players to win the global final and enjoy the experience of a lifetime at the Nike Academy -  a high performance residential football program, supported by the Premier League in England.

In 2012, the final 100 players will take part in an intense training and competition schedule in Barcelona, while being evaluated by a world-class team of coaches and scouts. Players will be assessed through training drills including Nike SPARQ, a training and conditioning system that helps build better athletes.

The best 16 footballers from the global finals will be chosen by Nike to experience the ultimate training tour as their reward; facing some of the most renowned academy teams in world football, including Manchester United and a U.S. Youth National Team during a once-in-a-lifetime four week tour.

Players will live the life of an elite footballer and train at the best facilities under the watchful eyes of club coaches and scouts. A golden chance to get noticed and potentially win a professional contract. 

Pep Guardiola, global ambassador for 'The Chance', said:  “The Chance gives young players from around the world the opportunity to showcase their talent and develop their skills on a global stage. 

“The program celebrates those players with passion for the game and the best technique, giving them the chance to get noticed and reach their potential.”

Winning The Chance 2010 was life-changing for Tom Rogic. His performances at the Nike Academy in the UK last season, (last year’s prize for finalists) earning him a contract with A-League side Central Coast Mariners.

Rogic added: “The Chance gave me the opportunity to play against players from all over the world, helping my game and getting me noticed by my new club.  It’s a dream come true.  I hope my story inspires other players who dream of playing professional football to sign up in 2012.”

Applicants must be at least 16 years old on the day they register online. Registration is open for Australian & New Zealand footballers to 30/4/12. Players can register themselves today for The Chance 2012 in Australia on Nike's Australian Facebook page here.