Young Aussie to join Fulham Academy

[Frankie-Peter Taylor]

http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/1752191/young-gun-to-train-at-fulham/

WANGARATTA junior Seb Pasquali will head to England later in the year to play in Fulham's academy team.

The Red Devils star, 13, returned from a trial with the EPL club two weeks ago after a two-week stint with international heavyweight Chelsea earlier this year. But Fulham selected him as a player they wanted to test in academy competition after Pasquali was a standout in trials that included players from across Europe and the US. Father Tony Pasquali, a 300-game champion and coach of Wangaratta Rovers, said it was an opportunity too good to knock back.

"He was picked up by one of their scouts at the national championships and it has all gone from there," he said. "Now he has passed the first stage and gone beyond a trial — he has been identified as a player they want to see more of. "They have academy sides from nine to 21 but where you play is not always based on age.

"Seb played against older kids in the trials and if they think it is better for his development then he could play up again." Outgoing Red Devils coach and keeper Jon Shaw said he was struck by the teen's talent when he arrived at the club. "I came down in 2010 and asked if someone could kick a few at goals as a bit of a warm-up," he said. "And so this young kid started hitting the ball from 20-metres out and putting it in the top corner of the net.

"Seb has something that you can't coach — a skill with the ball and in reading the play that is well beyond his years.

"I've never seen a player at his age, in England or in Australia, with such talent.

"But he trains like crazy and never has a ball far from his foot.

"He trained with the seniors last year and but for his size would have played — he is technically the best player at the club."

Pasquali senior said he was pleased to see country kids getting the chances that in the past have been the sole domain of the big cities. "We already train twice a week in Melbourne with the National Training Centre under-16s and state team — and for the most part you are forced to travel," he said. "But this is an example of the big clubs looking beyond the cities, in the past they have been very metro-centric — hopefully this paves the way for others to follow in Seb's footsteps."

[Jimpav]

Sounds promising but too young for me to get excited about. A lot can happen in the next 5-10 years.

[leonffc]

Another 13 year old English talent missing out.

Surely the FA/UEFA/FIFA have got to act on this human trafficing of moving youngsters around the world just for football reasons. Dont get me wrong, if Fulham didn't get him then another club would have but I see kids losing half their childhood sat in the back of their parents car just trying to get round the M25 after school heading for academies or weekend games only to be binned off when they dont make the grade. Dragging them to the other side of the world, away from their friends and family on what is probably a false hope is shocking IMO. Let kids enjoy their childhood as well as their football. And let kids from their own country have a shot at their LOCAL academy.

[HatterDon]

what is a "300 game champion?"

[FFC1987]

Yet another example of our club restricting youth to the first team and forcing young talent into Brentford and QPR!!!!!

[Artful Dodger]

I predict 5 years in the academy, a first team appearance at 18, 3 years on loan at Macclesfield Town before being sold to Colchester Utd for £50k and a new kit bag, returning to Aus 2 years later to play Aussie Rules.