BIG NEWS: Griffith’s Hugo Forlico was invited to trial for Football NSW’s Institute Program after his form for NSW Country.
GRIFFITH’s Zachary Fattore, George Pavese and Hugo Forlico have starred for NSW Country at the Football Federation Australia National Youth Championships for Boys held in Coffs Harbour.
Attracting more than 400 of the best under 13s and 14s players in the country, the championships is an important part of the FFA’s Talented Player Identification Pathway and provides an opportunity for young players to be spotted as a player with potential.
Despite the tough competition, Fattore was strong in the back line for NSW Country under 14s in Pool A.
The team was not fazed by the intense competition and took out their first three games against South Australia, Football West and Victoria Metro.
The team momentum was tamed after a hard fought game against NSW Metro, and despite great effort was unable to get on top in the final games against Queensland Metro and Queensland Country, in contests that could have gone either way.
Forlico led NSW Country out as captain in Pool B in the under 13s draw with Pavese taking aim up front as a key striker.
The team played convincing football throughout the competition and accumulated impressive wins against Northern Territory, Tasmania, Northern NSW and drew in very tight games against Queensland Country and Victoria Country.
Usually rivals in the local Griffith competition, Forlico and Pavese showed their teamwork in the midfield and Pavese was able to capitalise with a total of seven goals for the carnival.
The Country NSW teams challenged their city and country counterparts with outstanding teamwork and skill level.
“It was a great way to rate your skill level against others in your age group, it was an amazing experience,” Fattore said.
The under 14s finished with an impressive fourth place for the competition while the under 13s gained the title of winners of their pool and were presented with their championship medals from the FFA.
As a result of performance Forlico was invited to trial for Football NSW’s Institute Program and Premier League sides in Sydney and has accepted a place at Manly United under 14s for 2013.
