A late call up will see two Wagga City Wanderers juniors take part in an international tournament in Fiji next week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Samson Lucas and Conrad Eyles will represent a South Australian boys under 15 team at the Ultimate Fiji Soccer Cup.
The call up came after two South Australians pulled out through injury. Wanderers technical director Andrew Masons, who is coaching a NSW under 18 team, recommended the pair to fill in.
The pair have embraced their selection and travelled over 10 hours to meet and train with the team in Hahndorf, just east of Adelaide.
Lucas's father Michael, who coaches the boys at club level, said the pair are looking forward to the experience.
"They are really excited and travelled to South Australia because they wanted to meet and train with the rest of the team before they got to Fiji," Lucas said.
"They trained in the morning before playing a game in the afternoon and the team looked really good."
South Australia will play five games across a hectic five days next week.
They will play two NSW teams and three Fijian outfits in the towns of Lautoka, Nadi and Ba.
The top two after the round robin will play-off in a final at Lautoka's Churchill Park, which has hosted senior international football matches in the past.
The tour will cap off a big year for the two Wagga teens.
"Samson went very well this season in his first year in the under 16s," Lucas said.
"He developed really well and finished the season as a starting midfielder playing as either and eight or a 10. He also played up in the under-18s off the bench."
"It's the same story for Conrad, he developed really well playing mainly as an left-footed attacking five who overlapped. He also played up in the under 18s and they're good really good kids and leaders pithing the team."
Tournament founder and director Bruce Tilt believes the tournament is a fantastic opportunity for up-and-coming footballers to test themselves in a different environment.
"The Ultimate Fiji Soccer Cup is an opportunity for Australian and New Zealand kids to go on the international stage and take on Fiji's best," Tilt said.
"Beyond soccer, this is an opportunity for Australian and New Zealand kids to meet with Fijian locals and learn about the culture and history of Fiji.
"The Australian kids come from many diverse backgrounds from across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia and they will learn a lot from meeting new players and discussing their own environment.
"It will be the 10th anniversary of the Ultimate Fiji Soccer Cup and I am proud to have seen it grow to the point where there will be over 500 players and supporters flying into Fiji to play, learn and have fun."
READ MORE