We have had four students selected for the 16’s State School Boys;
Declan Collin, Will Dobbs, Jonah Madeira, Luke Richards
http://www.schoolsportwa.com.au/interstate/football/boys-girls-19s/
We also have had three students selected for the 12’s and under State School Boys & State School Girls;
Sam Byrne, Brad Vlachy, and Ella Gillespie
http://www.schoolsportwa.com.au/interstate/football/boys-girls-12-under/
Here are their stories;
State School Boys; Declan Collins
My football journey started in Busselton at the age of 4 years old, when I played for my school team called St Joseph’s, I was there for a year before I moved to Perth because of Dad’s job. My first club I played for was a small club called Beeliar Spirits, which I was there from under 6s to under 11s. Wanting to push myself and my club was not an NPL club I decided to move to Armadale Sc at 11 years old which was an NPL club. After 2 a years of trialing for Perth Sc, I was finally offered a spot in the under 14s side. This was a great achievement as Perth was one of the top clubs in the NPL. We ended up going undefeated, winning the league and winning the cup, this was the best season in my footballing career. Next season my coach wanted to push me and told me to trial for the under 16s, meaning I would be playing a year up, I pushed myself and backed myself throughout the trial. I was fortunate enough to be offered a spot along with other boys who were wanting to play a year up as well. We had a good season but unfortunately, due to a team being disqualified we ended up coming second. This was a great season for myself as I had developed very well, with also the chance of playing one game in the 18s. 2017 was definitely my best year as achievement and development wise, playing a year up winning the school cup making the Perth sc under 18s squad and finally representing Western Australia in the WA State Squad is definitely my best achievements. These opportunities are both physically and mentally challenging but I’m ready to take on these challenges. I am very excited to be representing Western Australia it is an honour going on this trip as I am very confident in my team, knowing we will be a tough competitor in the competition. Another reason I am looking forward to going is also for the experience and getting a feel for what the quality of football is in the other states.
State School Boys; Will Dobbs
2 years ago I was fortunate enough to secure a place at south coast baptist football academy. During this time I have been able to develop my skills on and off the pitch. I have grown as a player and as a person. I was privileged to play in a side to win the WA school sports competition last year which was a massive confidence boost. Throughout this last year, I have trained with my school and Cockburn City SC, working with the younger players as a coach and being part of the leadership at SCBC. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and going for the state schoolboys trials have been an exciting challenge which has finally paid off. I have been eating extremely healthy and exercising regularly to get me ready for the tournament. I am very proud to represent WA as a vice-captain. I will try my best and do my state proud. I’d like to thank my coaches which have guided me and my family, who have not stopped believe and being there for me through my journey.
State School Boys; Jonah Madeira
I started playing football when I was seven. I always loved it but started taking it seriously when in the U13s my coach Scott Halpin believed in me as a player and really taught me an understanding of the game. He coached me for three years and in that time I developed as a player/person on and off the field.
For the 2018 football season, I have made it into an U20 NPL squad and am really looking forward to the challenge.
I have traveled to China twice to play football. First, with my school team from South Coast Baptist College, to Beijing in 2015 and this year with the U16 State Team to Shanghai. These trips have given me a taste of what life would be like to be a professional footballer and it has made me more determined to chase my dream of playing professional football.
I am really looking forward to traveling to Adelaide to play in the Pacific School Games with the U16 State Schoolboys team, as it will be another step closer to success and opportunity.
State School Boys; Luke Richards
I first started playing football when I was 5 in the U.K. for an under 8s team called Hillingdon Saints. Later that year, my family decided to move to Australia and start a new life. In Australia, I first joined Warnbro Strikers and played there for 5 years, until I was invited by Scott Halpin to play for Rockingham City. Scott was a great coach and taught me so much and I am ever so grateful to be coached by someone as experienced as he is. During the under 12s season I trialled for the under 12 State Schoolboys. I ended up in the squad and we went to Queensland for the National Championships. We played against all the states finishing with a silver medal level with Victoria. After the Championships, I moved to play for Cockburn City, where I played one season. The same year I participated in Country Week, in which I was scouted to go to Singapore with the Regional State Team. In Singapore, I was voted the M.V.P by the players and the coach which meant I could train with Real Madrid Academy Coaches, which was an amazing experience. My next move was from Cockburn to Armadale where I played for the under 14s, which was now coached by Scott. After this stint, the whole team moved back to Rockingham to play under 15s. The next season I was expecting to play under 16s but was instead invited to play under 18s for Rockingham. This season was a success for myself as I was awarded the Player of the Year award. In a friendly, my under 18s team played against the State Schoolboys. After the game, the coaches of the State Team offered me a trial with them, which I accepted. I trialed in two games, one against Ellenbrook under the 20s and the second against Canning under 18s. I was later told that I had been selected to represent WA in Adelaide, which I was very happy to hear. I have been selected as Captain of the team, which I am over the moon about. In the National Championships, I’m very excited to play against the best in the country and some other international teams including; China and India. It will be a great experience and I’m so grateful for the chance. I have been very fortunate to have these opportunities and the support of family and coaches throughout my journey.
State School Boys Coach; Gavin Brown
As Coach of the WA State Schoolboys, I am delighted to have the support of the football program at South Coast Baptist College, one of the leading Football Programs in the State.
We had a number of students trial from the school and four of the boys have made the final squad and will represent the WA in Adelaide. Three of the students Declan Collins, Jonah Madeira and Will Dobbs were selected at the original trials, but we discovered Luke Richards when playing a friendly match against Rockingham City as part of the selection process. All four boys have shown great commitment to the trials and preparation phase and we are excited to see how they perform at the tournament
Our Leadership group comprises of one Captain and two Vice-captains and is elected by the playing group. It is an indication of the professionalism displayed by the South Coast students, that Luke Richards was successful in achieving the most votes and will Captain the side, with Will Dobbs and Gyles Davies (Scotch College) as his Assistants.
State School Girls 12’s; Ella Gillespie
I really love football because it makes me thrive to achieve different goals. You can never run out of different goals to achieve in football because there is nothing to stop you from learning different goals. I also love football because I can make more friends that will last forever. But not just friends you can also meet awesome coaches, and I have already met some. Football is just an amazing game to play.
I started football when I was 10 years old and I am currently 12 years old. So I have been playing for two years now and most people would think that I haven’t gone that far yet but I have, I have reached into the State School Girls which I am incredibly proud of and everyone I know is proud of me for reaching that far and getting far.
The coaches there are so great they never stop trying to give you new goals to learn. They push you as hard as they can to the best of their ability to make you the better person you can be. You meet some amazing coaches in your life that just make you feel like you can be better every day if you do certain things.
I always wanted to be a famous football player and I know now that I can if I push myself to the best of my ability. I have always wanted to be like Samantha Kerr because she is just an amazing football player and never stops trying to reach new goals. I also love her because she encourages younger girls to play.
I am so proud of myself and everyone who is reaching for the stars. And I would like to say to those people to never give up and try as hard as you can every day of your life. Never waste time because you have no idea what is coming your way.
State School Girls 12’s Coach; Scott Halpin
The tournament comprises of all States and Territories from around Australia with NSW, Queensland, and Victoria the top sides competing. Ella has been selected due to her outstanding trials earlier this year and has become an important squad member with impressive displays against the mainly older opposition. She has excelled as a striker playing. A pivotal role in the teams prepares for the National Championships in Adelaide. Her first touch has seen good improvement and she is able to score goals at will during the practice games leading up
Is evident as she trains many times a week with quality coaching at her school and with other good quality players. She is determined and single-minded when playing which are wonderful attributes of a striker. She is in fine company Ella with many of her teammates playing in NPL, NTC or boys teams.
WA will be hoping to go a step or two better in 2018 with a Bronze medal placing in 2017 when the Championships were held in Perth.
State School Boys 12’s Coach; Tony Carvajal
“After a long selection and difficult process, due to the high quality of the trialists, where over 140 players participated, 15 boys were selected in the team (7 train-on players were also selected. The players will represent WA in the Pacific Schools Games in Adelaide. The Team will be traveling on the 1st December and be returning on 10 December. The boys will be playing against the other States and Territories in what is a National Championships. The Squad has played several practice matches in preparation for the Championships with Bradley Vlachy and Sam Byrne from South Coast Baptist College playing outstanding football.”
State School Boys 12’s; Sam Byrne
At 6 years old, I Sam Byrne played football for Dunkirk Colts FC. Dunkirk is a club from Nottingham, England. I proceeded to progress with my football abilities and was invited for a trial at Burton Albion. Burton is a professional football club that plays in the EFL. Following a trial match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, I was offered a contract. I played for 3 1/2 seasons at Burton Albion before emigrating to Australia. During my time at Burton Albion, I played matches against many academies including Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday Liverpool and Manchester City. I moved to Australia in 2015 and since living in Australia I have played for Mandurah City FC and Rockingham City FC. In my first season at Rockingham FC, we won the U12s NPL and the cup. I have been selected to represent WA schools and travel to Adelaide next week for a tournament. I currently attend South Coast Baptist college and have a football scholarship at the school. I am looking forward to being in Adelaide and playing teams from other parts of Australia and also being part of the WA team.
State School Boys 12’s; Bradley Vlachy
2017 has been a very exciting year for Bradley and his Football! It started with receiving a Football scholarship to South Coast Baptist College for his final year of primary school. In April he went to Portugal and Spain with Total Football Development and played teams such as Barcelona, Athletica Madrid & Sporting. Such an exciting adventure for him.
Bradley played for Rockingham Football Club this year and they won the Cup and finished league leaders! Representing WA at the Pan Pacific games in Adelaide is a fanatic way to top off the year for Bradley! He was lucky enough to be a train on last year and be coached by Tony. He is most excited about playing football and gaining more experience. He is very proud to be representing WA.
