Six years of hard work has paid off for Fire Under 16s striker Adam Edgar after he was offered a position in the Newcastle Jets National Youth League squad.
Sixteen-year-old Edgar came to the Jets’ attention during the 2014 season during which he scored 25 goals in 15 games for the Premiership-winning Under 16 Fire team. The Jets received references from Queensland coaches and from the Technical Director of FC Copenhagen, who Edgar trained with for a week in July.
Edgar started training with the Jets last week and will be relocating to Newcastle next week. He said the intensity and quality of football were at a high level and he was looking forward to continuing to work with the experienced Jets coaches to improve his game.
Edgar’s father, Neil, said Adam’s time with the Fire in the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland and his trials overseas earlier in the season stood him in good stead for the move to National Youth League football.
“The NPL has given Adam a solid foundation upon which to build. Certainly with the Fire Under 16s, he has been playing with good players who have created a lot of chances for him to do what he does best, which is score goals,” Edgar said.
“Adam has also really appreciated the coaching and encouragement from Ben Cahn (Under 16s Coach) and Kevin A’herne-Evans (Fire 2014 Technical Director), who have helped him mature and given him confidence in his abilities.”
“Adam also trialled with Glasgow Rangers, Middlesborough, Birmingham City and FC Copenhagen over a few months this year and did well at all Clubs, receiving positive feedback. The quality of players, intensity and tempo of the training and games he was involved in really suited his style of play and definitely developed his game.”
Adam’s 2014 Coach, Ben Cahn, said Adam’s offer at the Jets was a result of his hard work and determination.
“I hope for Adam that Newcastle is the right fit for him, as he has an unbelievable determination to succeed and is a strong, quick, powerful player who will always score goals. His return of 25 in 15 games for us in 2014 proves that. I wish him all the best and will be following his progress closely,” Cahn said.
The younger Edgar said he had worked hard over the past six years and the opportunity to play for the Jets was another step towards his ultimate goal of becoming a professional footballer.
“(Joining the Jets) is something I have worked very hard to achieve over the past six plus years and I have always been focussed on eventually becoming a professional footballer, despite things not always going my way in terms of State and QAS selection,” Edgar said.
“Other players should not be disheartened during their early teenage years if they are overlooked, just keep working extra hard and eventually something will happen for you.”
“On a personal note, I have had a really enjoyable season at the Fire and I would like to thank my team mates, my coach Ben, Fire coach Daniel Carew and former Technical Director Kevin A’herne-Evans for making 2014 such an enjoyable and successful year for the Under 16s and myself.”
PICTURE: Adam with Newcastle Jets First Team Coach Phil Stubbins and Assistant Coach Michael Bridges.
