Three NPL youngsters selected for Australia’s historic first U15 national squad

Three youngsters attached directly to NPL clubs have been selected in Australia’s inaugural Under-15 National Select squad for the FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival in Azerbaijan.

Ater Berchilay (O'Connor Knights), Oscar Dykes (Clarence City Zebras) and Mark O'Connor (Darwin Olympic) are among 14 players chosen for the tournament, which runs from October 22-31.

Their selections provide another significant moment for Australia's state-league pathways.

While the squad also features players attached to A-League academies and Member Federation programs, Berchilay, Dykes and O'Connor head into the national setup directly from NPL clubs in the ACT, Tasmania and Northern Territory respectively.

The tournament will provide some of Australia's emerging young players with their first experience of international tournament football and a national-team environment.

It also marks another step in Football Australia's newly established U15 program, with the squad featuring players from metropolitan and regional environments across every Australian state and territory.

Former Adelaide United player Richie Alagich will lead the team, with the coaching staff also drawn from Member Federations around the country.

U15 National Select Lead Coach Richie Alagich said: “The focus will be on giving every player the opportunity to demonstrate and develop their individual technical qualities, decision-making and adaptability, with individual growth and learning at the centre of the experience.

“Having representation from every state and territory is a great reflection of the depth and diversity of potential that exists across Australia, across both metropolitan and regional environments.

“Success will be about much more than results on the pitch. If the players return home having developed as footballers, gained confidence, created lasting memories and been inspired by the experience, then we will consider the tournament a great success.”

Football Australia Pathways Talent Identification Lead Michael Cooper added: “To have players representing every Member Federation in this inaugural squad is something we’re really pleased about.

“It reflects the work being done across the country to identify and develop young players, and the strength of the connections between Football Australia, our Member Federations, clubs and programs.

“The purpose of this program is to give players an opportunity to experience international football at an earlier stage of their development. They will encounter different opponents, different styles of football and a tournament environment, while getting their first taste of what it means to represent Australia.

“For both the players and coaches, the focus is on embracing the opportunity, representing Australia with pride and coming away from Azerbaijan better for the experience.”

Defender

Western Sydney Wanderers

Goalkeeper

Melbourne City

Midfielder

O'Connor Knights

Forward

Melbourne City

Forward

North Coast Football

Defender

Football SA Program

Midfielder

Clarence City Zebras

Goalkeeper

Football QLD Program

Midfielder

Western Sydney Wanderers

Forward

Brisbane Roar

Defender

Perth Glory

Midfielder

Darwin Olympic

Midfielder

Sydney FC

Midfielder

Brisbane Roar