Sydney FC’s Academy have once again dominated a national squad with six Under 16’s named in a National Talent Identification Camp for boys in Townsville later this month.
Midfielder Lachlan Middleton and twin brother Jared who is a defender, are joined by forwards Jacob Brazete and Pearson Kasawaya, attacking midfielder Tiago Quintal and goalkeeper Gus Hoefsloot.
The camp is to be held between April 11 and 15 and will see feature Australian-based players participating in five days of football-related activities at facilities across the North Queensland city.
“It’s always pleasing to see young players gain recognition for their progress,” said Sydney FC Technical Director – Youth Kelly Cross.
“This national team camp provides a great opportunity for these six boys to learn more.”
To have 6 out of 28 players selected from all over Australia reflects well on Sydney FC’s renowned talent identification process and specific youth development methodology.
But Cross stressed: “Part of our role is to keep the boys grounded and to help them realise that their development journey is nowhere near the end.
“While it’s nice to be seen as one of the top 28 players of their age in Australia right now, it is no guarantee that they will be selected in six months’ time, let alone in two or three years.
“At Sydney FC, and in the other A-League academies, there are other players who could make the next camp.
“The secret is to keep all the boys in the Academy focused on continuous improvement; whether they make this camp or not.
“Those are the ones who will be there in the end,” said Cross.
“The six boys selected have been in good form recently and therefore our Academy staff are not surprised that they got the call-up,” he concluded.
Over the course of the camp the boys will play an internal 11v11 elite match and a game against a local ‘select’ team.
Scouts within the local federations have monitored players within school competitions, at club level, talent support programs, and within the National Premier Leagues and A-League Academies in anticipation of choosing the squad.
Trevor Morgan, Football Australia’s Head of Technical Direction, Pathways & Coach Education & Australian U17 Men’s Head Coach said this camp gives invitees the chance to push for selection in impending Australian U17 squads.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our national youth teams have been in hiatus for the past two years and this camp will be the first time we’ve been able to bring together some of the country’s best emerging players for a talent identification camp as we prepare for future international games and tournament campaigns,” Morgan said.
“The Joeys will start qualifying as an Under-16 team later this year vying for a place at the 2023 AFC Under-17 Asian Cup in Bahrain. This is the first camp for domestic players who are age-eligible, and we aim to provide more opportunities for players born in 2006 and younger throughout the year to ensure we have the best team possible to represent our nation.
“This squad has been selected through collaboration with clubs and Member Federation technical staff to ensure we are scouting further than before,” he said.
Like Football Australia’s recent U23 talent ID camp held in Netherlands, Morgan will be supported in camp by a number of former Socceroos.
Former Sky Blues Mark Milligan and Luke Wilkshire, plus Scott MacDonald will join the coaching staff alongside Member Federation technical staff to provide both assistance and inspiration for these players.
Under 16 National Talent Identification Camp Squad
| Name | Current Club | Junior Club / Member Federation |
| Luka BLAZEVIC | Football SA U16 Boys | Adelaide Raiders SC / Football South Australia |
| Dean BOSNJAK | Western Sydney Wanderers FC | Freeman Sports Club / Football New South Wales |
| Jacob BRAZETE | Sydney FC | Curl Curl FC / Football New South Wales |
| Zachary DE JESUS | Sydney United 58 FC | Lakeside Lions FC / Football New South Wales |
| Miguel DI PIZIO | Western Sydney Wanderers FC | AC United FC / Football New South Wales |
| Benjamin DUNBAR | Melbourne City FC | Doncaster Rovers SC / Football Victoria |
| Max HATELY | Western Sydney Wanderers FC | Kellyville Kolts SC / Football New South Wales |
| Gus HOEFSLOOT (Gk) | Sydney FC | Helensburgh Thistles FC / Football NSW |
| Jordan HOEY | Melbourne Victory FC | Doncaster Rovers SC / Football Victoria |
| Edward INCE | Brisbane Roar FC | Pine Hills FC / Football Queensland |
| Nestory IRANKUNDA | Adelaide United FC | Northern Wolves Soccer Club / Football South Australia |
| Pearson KASAWAYA | Sydney FC | Griffith City FC / Football New South Wales |
| Jonathon KELLIS | Melbourne City FC | Glen Eira FTS / Football Victoria |
| Cyrus MALSAWMKINA | Brisbane Roar FC | Logan Lightning FC / Football Queensland |
| Kade MCDOUGALL | Brisbane Roar FC | Buderim Wanderers FC / Football Queensland |
| Lachlan MIDDLETON | Sydney FC | Collaroy Cromer Strikers FC / Football New South Wales |
| Jared MIDDLETON | Sydney FC | Collaroy Cromer Strikers FC / Football New South Wales |
| George MIHAILIDIS | Melbourne Victory FC | Brighton SC / Football Victoria |
| Angus MUDDLE | Newcastle Jets FC | Toronto Awaba Junior FC / Northern New South Wales |
| Andre PARKES | Western Sydney Wanderers FC | Castle Hill United FC / Football New South Wales |
| Anthony PAVLESIC (Gk) | Western Sydney Wanderers FC | Sydney United Juniors FC / Football New South Wales |
| Jaylan PEARMAN | Perth Glory FC | Kingsley Westside FC / Football West |
| Isiah QUINN | Brisbane Roar FC | Brisbane Roar / Football Queensland |
| Tiago QUINTAL | Sydney FC | Baulkham Hills FC / Football New South Wales |
| Janni RAFTY | Newcastle Jets | Hamilton Olympic FC / Northern New South Wales |
| Xavier STELLA | Melbourne City FC | Templestowe United FC / Football Victoria |
| Michael VONJA (Gk) | Melbourne City FC | George Cross FC / Football Victoria |
| Nicholas ZDRILIC | Sydney United 58 FC | Rockdale City Suns FC / Football New South Wales |
