Bundaberg product Nykodah Smith bound for Brazil

It’s known for its love of rum and rugby league but the Queensland town of Bundaberg may have found the next Mark Viduka.

Nykodah Smith playing for South West Queensland Thunder in the Queensland National Premier League. Picture: Paul Smith

It’s known for its love of rum and rugby league but the Queensland town of Bundaberg could soon be on the map for another reason, if Socceroos coaching legend Rale Rasic is any judge.

Rasic, the first man to coach Australia to the World Cup finals, in 1974, has seen many stars emerge during his 50-year involvement in the sport.

Now he believes he has discovered another gem in 18-year-old Bundaberg junior, Nykodah Smith, who is about to become the first Australian to play professionally in Brazil.

Smith has signed with Brazilian third tier club Botafogo FC and is awaiting the paperwork to be completed before he heads off later next month for what he describes as “the thrill of a lifetime”.

“I can’t believe it is happening ... I’m just a kid from Bundaberg who always had a dream of being a footballer,” Smith, who plays with South West Queensland Thunder in the Queensland National Premier League, told The Weekend Australian yesterday.

“I have always wanted to be a professional and have trained and worked so hard to get to this point. I can’t wait to get over there again. It is a fantastic opportunity and who knows where it will lead.”

Smith is a former student of Toowoomba Grammar and that is where Rasic, a patron of the school, first saw the tall striker.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Rasic said. “He has such stature. He is big, strong, fast and he reminds me so much of (Socceroos great) Mark Viduka.

“The kid is unassuming and comes from a great family, who decided to move from Bundaberg to Toowoomba for Nykodah and his brothers. It was a huge sacrifice.”

Despite his great eye for talent, Rasic could not get any interest for Smith from A-League clubs.

“I contacted five clubs, some didn’t even bother to get back to me,” he said. “But this is their loss. Nykodah could be anything.”

Undaunted, and armed with huge belief in Smith’s talents, Rasic organised a three-week trial through his links with Botafogo FC, which has produced many outstanding players, notably ­Socrates, Doni and Diego Alves.

Smith could hardly believe it when the man he regards as his mentor told him of his plans.

“I was stunned but ready to give it a real go,” Smith said. “The trials worked out really well. After just the second day they pretty much wanted to sign me.

“What really snapped it for me was when one of their guys asked me who I followed and I said Barcelona. He said the club has a ­pathway to Barcelona and that blew me away.”

Despite his love of soccer, Smith could easily have ended up playing rugby league. Bundaberg is the home town of Aust­ralia coach Mal Meninga.

“Dad (Bruce) played league and his uncles played for Queensland and Australia,” Smith said. “But dad got injured and didn’t want me to suffer injuries like that so he had me kicking a soccer ball from when I was very young.

“When I was three Mum (Alesha) lied about my age and got me into the local under five team. I ended up playing at under 10s level while I was seven, eight and nine.”

Smith has played nine games for Thunder this season, scoring four goals. Asked about the Viduka comparisons, Smith said he was “just, like wow”.

“I know I have a long, long way to go to reach his level,” he said. “But I have something to aim at.”

As for his unusual Christian name, Nykodah suggested his mother is “a little unique”. It shows: his brothers are named Phoyx, Mannyx and Manphys.

“Mum hates being mainstream. She found some American Indian name and mucked around with the letters. I get some comments, but I think it is awesome.”