Teenager debuts for first-grade football team

LUKE Ivanovic debuted as one of the youngest players in the PlayStation 4 NPL NSW Men’s first-grade competition for Bonnyrigg White Eagles.

Luke Ivanovic, 16, made his first-grade debut with Bonnyrigg White Eagles in the Playstation 4 NPL Men's competition.

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WESTFIELD Sports High School student Luke Ivanovic debuted as one of the youngest players in the PlayStation 4 NPL NSW Men’s first-grade competition when he suited up for Bonnyrigg White Eagles recently.

Ivanovic, 16, is this week’s Local Sports Star of the Year nominee.

He said he was surprised when his coach told him to warm up and prepare to take the field in the second half.

“I was glad to be a part of the 20s team for the rest of the year but now training and playing with first grade is an even better feeling,” Ivanovic said. The teen played against men some decades his senior, but the young forward took it all in his stride.

“I felt like I was able to cope with playing at that level, but the bigger players are definitely more of a challenge,” he said.

As part of the football program at his Westfield Sports High, Ivanovic has also flourished through the youth program with the White Eagles and it was only a matter of time before the striker was called to step up into first grade football.

Ivanovic trains six times a week to represent both Westfield’s team and the White Eagles, and his sight is set on playing football professionally when he finishes high school at the end of 2018.

“I would love to explore opportunities to play overseas, as well as play in Australia,” Ivanovic said.

Ivanovic is hoping to get another run with the White Eagles when they head to Cromer Park this Sunday to take on Manly United with at 3.30pm kick-off.