Melbourne City FC Foxtel National Youth League players Haris Stamboulidis, Yaren Sozer and Matthew Millar have been selected in the School Sports Australian National Team tour of the UK and Ireland.
The trio were a part of the Victorian squad that took out silver at the 2014 national championships in New South Wales, playing five matches in six days on difficult synthetic surfaces.
After a successful tournament from all three players, the Melbourne City FC FNYL team members were selected for the School Sports Australia National Team tour of the UK that kick-offs in January.
The tour will see the group pit themselves against some of the world’s best junior talent with the boys honoured to be selected in the side.
“Obviously I was very humbled,” Sozer said.
“It’s going to be a great experience I think being able to play against the best players in Europe and to match up against players from England will be exciting,
“In past tournaments, players have gone on to play in the EPL and even higher so I think it’ll be a great opportunity for the boys that were selected.”
Stamboulidis was also chuffed with his selection into the side, saying it will be an experience to remember.
“It’s a great honour to represent your country at any level and in any sport,” Stamboulidis said.
“I’m sure it’ll be a great opportunity and of course I’m humbled to have the chance to represent Australia.”
The tour will see the team play against some of the English Premier League’s development sides as well as the national youth sides of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and Stamboulidis felt they would take a lot out of the trip.
Of course the experience itself will be a great learning tool,” Stamboulidis said.
“But also an insight into European football, the culture of the game and how we stack up with the best kids in Europe and that’ll be interesting to see.”
The boys thanked Geroge Katiforis as well as Victorian Coach and National Assistant Coach Dean Stafrace for their support and guidance.
