07 Jun 2024
14 year old Narrabri High School student Edward Bennett has played soccer since he was 5 years old. He first gained selection in the Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS) Under 8’s soccer team and has been selected and played with the NIAS team every year since. He is currently in the NIAS Under 15’s soccer team.
Edward has shown a great deal of dedication and commitment to his sport, spending many hours travelling, and playing all over NSW. He trains with his team twice a week, after school, in Tamworth and plays each weekend in either Tamworth or Newcastle in the Premier Youth League Competition. He also plays in both the Narrabri High School Under 15’s and Opens soccer teams.
Last year Edward played in The Rale Rasic Joeys Mini World Cup soccer tournament in Inverell. This tournament is a distinctive and highly anticipated annual soccer tournament in rural Australia. What sets this tournament apart is not only its comprehensive age range catering for players from 8 to 19 years of age but also the unique opportunities it offers. The tournament provides unparalleled recognition and awards, including four paid football coaching and playing tours to Germany for players and a fifth tour awarded to a coach. Additionally, 44 tour subsidies are available, making this event exceptionally valuable for those competing. These incentives not only enhance the competitive spirit but also provide life-changing experiences for young athletes and coaches, offering them exposure to international training environments and cultures. Edward is one of the players who was awarded a subsidy at last year’s tournament held at Inverell. Now Edward and his father David find themselves on a plane to Germany, leaving Australia on the 9th of June for a 4-week coaching and playing football tour, joining the Joeys's All-Stars Under 15’s team.