Fairfield footballer Adam Pavlesic to sit HSC exam with Joeys at under 17s World Cup in Brazil
This could be one of the most unusual places a football loving student in NSW sits his Higher School Certificate exam this year.
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It’s likely to be one of the most exotic locations any NSW student sits his Higher School Certificate exams this year - Brazil.
But that’s where young Australian goalkeeper Adam Pavlesic will be studying for and then doing the HSC after earning a dream trip to Brazil to represent his country at the under 17s World Cup.
Packed alongside his new uniform in his kit bag for Brazil are school books for last minute cramming before the exams.
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“There are five of us sitting the HSC over there,” said the Fairfield footballer named in the 21-strong Joeys squad competing at the World Cup tournament from the end of the month. “School is important.’’
First stop for Pavlesic and his teammates - including three other players from the Sydney FC Academy - is Chile for a training camp before the squad heads to their Brazilian base.
It’s a dream come true for Pavlesic who had at times wondered if he would return from a fractured wrist and then surgery in time for selection.
“I am just so proud to be able to pull on the jersey again,” said the 17-year-old born and bred in Fairfield and who played his junior football with Sydney Juniors FC at Edensor Park.
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“I was quite speechless and overwhelmed when I heard.
“It was a really tough period the last few months. I was supposed to have six weeks off but had to go to surgery and was out for even longer.
“I just kept my head strong. The guys at Sydney FC were great and I never gave up hope I could make this team.
“Everyone kept my spirits up, all the coaches checked in, it really helped.
“It makes it even more special after going through that tough period.”
Pavlesic’s mother Linda, father Steve, brothers Mathew, 15, and Anthony, 13, and sister Sara, 12, will be in Brazil to cheer him on.
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The World Cup will be contested by 24 nations and will run between October 26 and November 17.
The Australians have been drawn against Ecuador, Hungary and Nigeria in Group B.
The two teams from each of the six groups - and the four best third-placed teams - will then advance to the round of 16.
Pavlesic will be joined in Brazil by fellow Sydney FC Academy players Anton Mlinaric, Cameron Peupion and Ryan Teague. Teague will captain the side.