With the dream of being a professional footballer, a Young Griffith boy is already taking strides to reach his potential.
Mitchell Landini has been selected to represent Australia in the upcoming International Under 14 Futsal Championship in the United Kingdom in mid-October this year.
The Hanwood Soccer Club junior was surrounded by family when he found out.
“We were at my grandparents’ house at the time,” he said.
“Mum got a text from the coach telling her to check her emails and when she did, she found the email saying I had been picked to play for Australia.
“I was pretty stoked and didn’t really now how to react.”
His mum, Pam was very emotional when she saw the message.
“When I read the message I started to cry,” she said.
“I told him to read it just to check and he said this means I’m in mum and it was great that we were around his grandparents at the time so they got to experience it.”
“I think it took about 48 hours for it to actually sink in for him.”
Mitchell played with New South Wales South at the Australia Club Nationals, and after doing very well he goes down as one few people from Griffith to be picked for a national side.
He’s now waiting to hear further details in the lead up to the competition but once February 5 comes around everything really kicks off.
“Warren who is the coach of NSW South is trying to organise a training session,” he said.
“A couple of days each holidays (to) just keep the five guys out of his team training regularly in the lead-up.”
The last Australian side to take part in the competition performed well and many of those who took part remain in contact.
Mitchell hopes he can have a similar experience while on the 16-day tour.
The dream for the young gun has been to represent Australia in football and he hopes his selection is a step on the right path to reach his goal.
“I just have to keep training and get selected in different teams,” he said.
“Hopefully I can get scouted to play for other teams and go on trials from there.”
The youngster still isn’t sure he has processed the selection.
“I’m just hoping it will be a really good experience and I can learn lots of stuff,” he said.
“We will have access to different coaches which could really improve my game.”
Mitchell will continue to represent the Riverina Rhinos as they move into the Canberra competition next season.
Liam Warren
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
