18 junior footballers making a name for themselves in Townsville
The soccer season might be over for 2023, but Townsville’s young footballers will continue training as they work towards dreams of playing for the Socceroos. Read more about 18 future stars of NQ.
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The soccer season might be over for 2023, but Townsville’s young footballers will already be hitting training paddocks around the region as they continue to work towards dreams of playing for the Socceroos.
Headlining this year’s list of standouts are the Townsville Warriors ‘generation next’ in the under-14s, Nate West, Zayden Laterre, Hayden Novelli and Liam Bergin, who finished their season with a historic treble of being crowned Premiers, grand final winners and Crad Evans champions – an achievement the same group also completed in U12s.
These are just a few of the players catching eyes around Townsville, let us know which players we missed at sport@townsvillebulletin.com.au.
LATHAN KING
Age: 14
Club: MA Olympic FC
Position: Left back, left wing
Noteworthy achievements: U12 team Player of the Year (2021); MA Olympic Junior Male Club Player of the Year (2012, 2023); 2023 U14 Boys Queensland State Team rep; FQ Academy player for five years; NQ Schoolboys U12.
King is a quiet achiever who played his 10th consecutive season for MA Olympic in 2023 and continued to improve with every game, and his work ethic and commitment to training ensure his development stays on track.
King is a composed player with a quality first touch, accurate passing ability and he has great game awareness and the ability to beat defenders. He plays with confidence which flows onto his teammates, and he brings experience and passion into any teams he plays in.
HUDSON WALTHAM
Age: 13
Club: MA Olympic FC
Position: Centre midfielder
Noteworthy achievements: NQ Schoolboys U12 2022; Shortlisted for NQ Schoolboys U16 Townsville team 2023; Selected for the Jeremy Brockie Football HP Squad 2023; FNQ Cup 2022 & 2023; Recently attended the West Ham United National Youth ID Camp for possible selection to travel to the UK to visit & experience their Youth Development Program.
After discovering football at the age of nine, Waltham instantly fell in love with the game. He is known for his passing accuracy, long passes and being able to read the game and make plays.
Waltham is a consistently strong player who is reliable and hardworking, and always fights for his badge.
OKANYA WILONJA
Age: 16
Club: Estates FC
Position: Midfielder
Noteworthy achievements: Wilonja is the youngest men’s debutant and goalscorer at Estates FC in the Premier League, which he achieved in 2023 at the age of 15 years, 6 months and 11 days. He scored a total of 16 goals and had nine assists across the Premier League and Youth divisions.
Wilonja has shown outstanding commitment to attending training and games all year. He has an ability like no other to beat players in the midfield, no matter their age, size or level of experience.
JUCELIN KEMNDA
Age: 16
Club: Estates FC
Position: Striker
Noteworthy achievements: This year, Kemnda achieved top goal scorer for Estates Youth as well as top contributor for Youth and Premier League combined, with a total of 32 goals and nine assists across both divisions.
Kemnda has shown complete dedication to showing up and performing for his team. He has played through injury, stepped up as captain when needed, and scored matchwinning goals on numerous occasions.
ZACH VAN AKKEREN
Age: 13
Club: MA Olympic FC
Position: Centre back, right back
Noteworthy achievements: 2023 – U14 Queensland Representative – State of Origin Cup Melbourne; 2023 – NQ Rep – FQ Academy State championships; 2022 – MA Olympic U14A Player of the Year; 2021 – MA Olympic U13A Most consistent; 2021 – U12 NQ Schoolboys rep – School Sport state titles Toowoomba.
Van Akkeren is a hardworking and intelligent defender who isn’t afraid to put his body on the line to block shots or win the ball with his well-timed tackling.
He is very composed on the ball and possesses a great understanding of the game. Van Akkeren is extremely reliable and consistent and will always back up his teammates when called upon.
BRAELYN COLE
Age: 13
Club: MA Olympic FC
Position: Midfield, centre back
Noteworthy achievements: NQ Schoolboys U12s in 2022; FQ Academy player from U9s to present.
Cole is technically strong with an excellent first touch and one-on-one skills, and is starting to work hard on his game awareness and developing his communication on the field and showing leadership. He said he enjoyed taking an active role in his team’s movement around the park.
“I feel I have good understanding in both attack and defence and always work hard,” Cole said. “I like building up play through smart positioning and enjoy directing my team.”
NATE WEST
Age: 14
Club: Townsville Warriors FC
Position: Attacking midfield
Noteworthy achievements: NQ Schoolboys; Has completed FQ SAP and now FQ TSP programs; National Cup runners-up in Sydney; Queensland U14 State of Origin tournament in Melbourne.
The Townsville Warriors ‘generation next’ in the under-14s finished the season with a historic treble of being crowned Premiers, grand final winners and Crad Evans champions – an achievement they also completed in U12s.
West has been playing alongside standout players Zayden Laterre, Hayden Novelli and Liam Bergin since U10s and the quartet continue to demonstrate a clear determination and drive to compete at a top level.
Even at their young age, their willingness to continue learning and improve is a fundamental trait that helps set them up for personal and professional growth.
Theses guys and their teammates conduct themselves professionally, always showing opposition teams respect and valuing the spirit of competition first and foremost.
ZAYDEN LATERRE
Age: 14
Club: Townsville Warriors FC
Position: Left midfield
Noteworthy achievements: NQ Schoolboys; Has completed FQ SAP and now FQ TSP programs; National Cup runners-up in Sydney.
Laterre is a talented midfielder that is part of a very strong Warriors contingent that has grown together as they dominate their age group. See above comments under Nate West’s profile for more about Laterre and his teammates.
HAYDEN NOVELLI
Age: 14
Club: Townsville Warriors FC
Position: Striker
Noteworthy achievements: NQ Schoolboys; Has completed FQ SAP and now FQ TSP programs; National Cup runners-up in Sydney.
The Warriors young danger man up front is also a talented referee that constantly strives to improve his understanding of the sport. See above comments under Nate West’s profile for more about Novelli and his teammates.
LIAM BERGIN
Age: 14
Club: Townsville Warriors FC
Position: Centre midfield
Noteworthy achievements: NQ Schoolboys; Has completed FQ SAP and now FQ TSP programs; National Cup runners-up in Sydney; Queensland U14 State of Origin tournament in Melbourne.
Bergin is an exceptional midfielder that always stands out, even when he’s surrounded by great young talent. See above comments under Nate West’s profile for more about Bergin and his teammates.
CONNOR COLEMAN
Age: 8
Club: Estates FC
Position: Right wing, midfield
Noteworthy achievements: Representing Jeremy Brockie Football Academy in the GC Premier Invitational Tournament and various other tournaments in the Cairns and Townsville regions.
Coleman is little pocket rocket on the field with fierce determination and skills.
He loves his club and academy teammates and the friendships that come with playing soccer.
BENJAMIN EYLES
Age: 11
Club: Estates FC
Position: Goalkeeper, striker
Noteworthy achievements: Winner of the Saints FC club carnival.
Eyles is a fantastic goalkeeper and is also fond of scoring a goal or two when he plays up front as the team’s striker.
HENRY TUCKER
Age: 10
Club: Estates FC
Position: Defender / midfielder
Tucker is agile and quick and his ability to control the backline is sensational. The young player’s ability to move from backline to midfield when needed is seamless and his creativity on field is second to none.
ROMEO SONOGAN
Age: 9
Club: Estates FC
Position: Centre mid
Sonogan played with SAP (Skills Aquisition Program) through Football Queensland in 2022 and was selected for the High Performance Squad through Jeremy Brockie Academy for the 2023 season.
He is a powerhouse in the midfield who can dictate the game, not only defensively but also in attack.
WINSTON TOWNSEND
Age: 9
Club: Estates FC
Position: Left wing / striker
Townsend played with SAP (Skills Aquisition Program) through Football Queensland in 2022 and was selected for the High Performance Squad through Jeremy Brockie Academy for the 2023 season. The offensive-minded outfield player has a gifted left foot.
DIARMUID DOYLE
Age: 6
Club: Estates FC
Position: Centre back / centre midfield
Part of the Jeremy Brockie high performance team even though he is two years in age behind his teammates.
Doyle lives and breathes football, is always dressed ready to play and takes a ball to school every day. He is two-footed and has great close control, never shies away from a tackle and isn’t afraid to organise his teammates and get them into position.
KYNAN SMITH
Age: 7
Club: Estates FC
Position: Comfortable in every position
Part of the Football Excellence NQ Academy.
Smith is a hardworking skilful player who guarantees goals every game. He has an absolute rocket of a left foot and his coaches are very excited to see what the future holds for him.
SPENCER LUCAS
Age: 7
Club: Estates FC
Position: Midfield / striker
Lucas is a true team player that always tries to bring teammates into the game with his passing and is constantly looking to assist others in getting goals.
Originally published as 18 junior footballers making a name for themselves in Townsville
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