A year-long stint in the Western NSW Mariners junior sides has paid off for one future football star.
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Bradley Boney-Chillie, a Dubbo College South Campus student, has received a call-up to the national ranks after being scouted by the Socceroos, and will soon pull on the green-and-gold as part of their under 17s Joey's program.
The young gun defender, who plays primarily as a left-back, is the recipient of a John Moriarty Football scholarship and will soon leave Dubbo behind to take his talents to Sydney.
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"It's got me nervous, definitely, but it's a big opportunity and it's a really good feeling," Boney-Chillie said.
While Boney-Chillie has only been playing for the Mariners for a year, selectors were quick to recognise his talents and fast-tracked the 15-year-old to attend the Socceroos Joey squad trials.
While the standard of play exhibited by the other members of the trial squad left Boney-Chillie impressed, his place amongst them is now assured after being invited to commence training with the junior Socceroos squad.
"It was different, really different, it was so much faster and tougher playing with them up there, I think one session went for something like two hours, so it was a challenge," Boney-Chillie said.
Despite the tough task on offer, Boney-Chillie said he was relishing the opportunity to continue to develop his game, and wasn't going to squander the chance to train with some of the best in the nation.
"It's pretty incredible, I'm looking forward to learning what I can, they were all really good at the trials, so, it should really help my game a lot," Boney-Chillie said.
In 2021, the youngster will move to Sydney and begin attendance at Westfield Sports High School in the western suburbs.
While Boney-Chillie has already marked himself as a future star and stand-out, with many of his class-mates and even some teachers already asking him to sign memorabilia for them before he travels away, he's not the only member of the family with talent.
Younger brother Marty also received a Moriarty Football scholarship after playing and training alongside Bradley at the recent Indigenous Football Week Gala day held in Dubbo in mid-November.
"It's pretty special," the older Boney-Chillie said of the recognition of his talents.
"I'd like to thank everyone who's helped me, the Moriarty Football for providing me with the scholarship and all my coaches along the way."
The Joey under 17s side were last seen in 2019, where they left the under-17 world cup with a defeat to France.
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