On a mission: Jye Cartledge has been picked to represent Victoria at the 19/under national school titles in August. Picture: Justin Whitelock
JYE Cartledge dreams of one day taking his soccer career to a top level.
And the young Ballarat Red Devils defender remains on the right track, having been picked to represent the state at the upcoming School Sport Australia 19/under national championships.
Cartledge will be part of the Victorian team that takes on some of the best young talent from around the country in Townsville during August.
The selection is a big thrill for the 17-year-old, who also represented Victoria Country at the Football Federation Australia National Youth Championships in 2010.
“I’m really excited. I love going away and playing at different places,” Cartledge, a former Sebastopol Vikings junior, told The Courier.
Cartledge, a year 11 student doing a school-based bricklaying apprenticeship through Phoenix P-12 Community College, impressed during a gruelling selection process to win his spot in the squad.
“I wasn’t thinking I wasn’t going to make it because there was a fair few kids (at the trials).
“There would have been about 60 there, but I just went and did as I normally do – I go hard when I go to trials,” he said.
Cartledge’s goals for the tournament are simple.
“I just want to impress every game, play well and always do something for the team.
“You can’t let the team down,” he said.
The Courier Sportz Biz Junior Sports Star of the Week receives a $50 voucher courtesy of Sportz Biz, Ballarat. Details on how to nominate someone you know are on the entry form below.
