MUCH like the Socceroos heading to Brazil last month and hoping to shock the world in the FIFA World Cup, Dubbo's Nic Railz will be doing the same when he heads to Northern Ireland in two weeks to take part in the Dale Farm Milk Cup.
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Railz, who now plays in Sydney for Sydney United, will head to the UK later this month with his teammates to take part in the prestigious tournament.
The Milk Cup was first contested in 1983 but has gone on to become one of the biggest junior football tournaments in the UK and attracts teams from all over the world.
This year the likes of English Premier League giants Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle will be in attendance as well as junior clubs from Brazil, Mexico and Portugal to name a few.
Fifteen-year-old Railz and his Sydney United teammates face a particularly difficult test in their very first match as they go up against the Japanese national youth academy side.
The lanky centre back expects to face a pretty torrid time going up such talented opponents but admitted he couldn't wait to head off for the experience of a lifetime.
"It's pretty good and exciting, I've had a bit of time to think about it," he said.
The club found out in January they'd be competing in the Milk Cup but Railz said the feeling probably would not kick in until he arrived in the UK.
He and his teammates will take part in a week-long tour of England before the tournament, visiting some of English football's most well-known stadiums and youth academies, including Liverpool's home ground Anfield.
In the tournament Railz and Sydney United will follow their match against the Japanese academy with clashes against North Dublin and the Plymouth Argyle youth team.
"It should be good, it's my first time overseas," Railz said, before speaking about what he's looking forward to most.
"Seeing the differences between Australia and Europe and all the other teams that are there."
Railz began his footballing career with SASS at Dubbo before linking up with the Westside Panthers. The talented youngster then linked up with the Western Mariners in his early teenage years while he has also represented NSW Country.
His talents were recognised and he made the move to Sydney where he is currently in year 9 at Bossley Park High School.
Bossley Park has a respected football program and Railz admitted since moving in November last year, his game has improved out of sight.
"Quite a bit, it's made me a lot better," he said.
"We train three or four times a week at school and three times a week at the club and then we play a game on the weekend."
Railz said he had received a lot of help and support from his family in allowing him to follow his dream of becoming a professional footballer.
Railz and his teammates begin their Milk Cup campaign against the Japanese youth academy on July 28 at Coleraine on the north coast of Northern Ireland.