Cumberland United’s Cohan Morris selected for Australian Schoolboys two years after leaving Whyalla

CUMBERLAND United’s Cohan Morris left family and friends in Whyalla two years ago to chase his soccer dreams - now he is set to represent Australia.

CUMBERLAND United’s Cohan Morris knows all about sacrifices.

Armed with nothing but his dreams, the teenager left his family and friends in Whyalla two years ago to chase a soccer career in Adelaide.

“It was nerve racking at first and I was a bit scared but it’s something you’ve got to do,” Morris, now 18, says.

“When I got here it gave me more motivation to follow my dream.”

Morris was last month named in the Australian Schoolboys squad to tour the UK in January.

The 186cm centre back impressed selectors at the School Sports Australia Championships despite SA finishing fifth.

“I was overwhelmed when I found out

“I’m just a boy from Whyalla and now I’m going to be representing Australia.”

Morris first kicked a ball aged four at Whyalla Croatia Soccer Club, following in the footsteps of his father John who also played for the club.

After representing country SA at junior level, he realised opportunities to further his development were limited on the Eyre Peninsula.

“The league in Whyalla was pretty small so I moved up to Adelaide to give myself a chance and I’ve really enjoyed the ride so far,” the Henley High Year 12 student says.

Morris’ father arranged for his son to board with the family of a work colleague in Pasadena.

The young hopeful joined then Premier League club Enfield City, captaining the Eagles’ under-17 side to a league and cup double before making his first team debut late in the season.

Morris moved to Cumberland this year and made 16 senior appearances, initially under coach and fellow Whyalla native Michael Brooks, in the Foxes’ unsuccessful relegation battle.

“Having more experienced players around me helped me improve my positioning and if I did something wrong, they would be positive and help me through it,” he says.

The Australian Schoolboys will play nine matches on tour, taking on the likes of English second-tier club Cardiff City’s youth side and the England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland under-18 teams.

Morris hopes it is a step towards emulating Whyalla export Carl Veart who played in the English Premier League and won 18 Socceroos caps.

“There’s going to be lots of people watching so it’s a really good opportunity,” says Morris, who trained with Adelaide United’s youth team last year.

“If I keep working hard hopefully one of these pathways opens up.”