Teen to trial for youth squad


Teen to trial for youth squad

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Teen to trial for youth squad

David Lems | 1st July 2010

AUSTRIAN-bound Ipswich Grammar School student Tom Lee has an abundance of talent for someone so short.

Rising football talent Tom Lee is excited about his wonderful overseas opportunity.
Sarah Harvey

AUSTRIAN-bound Ipswich Grammar School student Tom Lee has an abundance of talent for someone so short.

However, the diminutive teenage footballer is ready to stand tall on his international trip of a lifetime.

The speedy central midfielder is heading overseas on July 10 to start a six-month journey that could launch his promising sporting career.

Tom, 15, will trial for the youth squad with Austrian club SK Rapid while staying with relatives in Vienna.

SK Rapid is the largest club in Vienna, producing some of Austria’s most successful sides.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity,” Tom said, having been to Austria twice before but yet to play football there.

“I can’t wait. Everything’s been going pretty good.”

Quietly-spoken Tom hopes to play in the youth or under-15 league while studying and living overseas.

He likes speaking German, excels at geography and rates Argentine great Lionel Messi his favourite footballer.

Tom has played for Queensland Lions in this year’s elite Rebel League competition after lining up in the Brisbane Junior League last season.

Despite being in year 10, Tom has played in many of Grammar’s First XI games in this year’s GPS competition.

A huge fan of Tom is well-respected regional footballer Stewart Drinkeld, who coaches him at IGS.

“He’s a very, very talented boy,” said Drinkeld, who is Master-in-charge of football at the school.

“He’s very fast and has great attacking vision.

“It’s quite sad to see him go but good luck to him.”

Drinkeld, a former Ipswich Knights captain and Queensland Lions assistant coach, said Tom deserved the opportunity.

“I’d love to be in his shoes,” Drinkeld said. “It’s the chance of a lifetime.

“He’s not just going over for a trial and hoping to survive a couple of weeks. He’s got a six-month thing going on, he’s going to school there and train with them full-time.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity and a great cultural experience as well.”

Drinkeld encouraged Tom to use the rare opportunity and showcase his skills in Austria.

“For most of the boys who go overseas, it’s a bit of a lottery,” Drinkeld said. “But he’s got a real chance.

“There’s not many boys you see that have that little edge to his game and that might be the difference.

“He’s a fantastic talent.”

Tom’s supportive dad Brett was thrilled to see his son invited to Austria.

“He’s worked very hard for it and it is his passion,” Brett said.


http://www.qt.com.au/story/2010/07/01/Teen-trial-youth-squad-Austrian-club-Sk-rapid/

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