TEN-year-old Lucas resident Connor Nelson-Higgins is one of just three Victorians to be selected in the Australian under-10 futsal side which will tour the USA later this month.
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The young St Patrick’s Primary student impressed selectors during the national championships in Brisbane earlier this year, where his Vic Country side finished third.
The trip will be his second outing in green and gold after earning selection for the under-10 squad which played in Japan last year.
For his efforts Nelson-Higgins has been named The Courier’s Junior Sports Stars of the Week.
Futsal Victoria director of coaching Corey Smith said Nelson-Higgins said Nelson-Higgins was one of a number of talented youngsters within the Ballarat futsal program.
“He’s got a really good attitude to it, and he performed really well at nationals,” Smith said.
“Connor’s definitely one of the more talented kids but there’s a group of them in Ballarat who are in a really strong age group.”
The side will fly out to the USA on July 5 to take part in the tournament in San Jose, California. The under-10’s will compete against regional representative sides from around the country.
As well as playing indoors at least three times a week, the youngster also plays for the Sebastopol Vikings on Sundays, and is hoping to try out for the Ballarat Red Devils under-12’s side later this year.
Nelson-Higgins will be joined by a contingent of older Ballarat athletes who will represent Australia in both the men’s and women’s futsal sides.
Eureka Strikers spearhead Alison Pym will join the women’s team alongside Bree Coombes, while 32-year-old Josh Ellen will make his international debut in the tri-series which will see Australia face off against the USA and Mexico.
The Courier Intersport SportzBiz Junior Sports Star of the Week receives $50 Intersport SportzBiz voucher.
