DREAMS have come true for two MacKillop College students who have been selected to play in the International Youth Football Tournament in Tokyo.
Nikita Poltorasky of Port Macquarie will represent Northern NSW Football in the only U14 Boys team it is taking to the tournament, which runs from 28 April – 9 May.
Outside of his current team, Mid Coast Football Club, Nikita already sports an impressive football record.
He has represented East Coast Futsal Academy in competitions across NSW and Qld; Northern NSW in State of Origin; and he toured the UK with the Shoot Football Academy in January.
Despite Nikita’s early football days positioning him midfield, he will take on the role of goalkeeper for the tournament.
It’s a position he knows is key to the success of the team.
“Being a goalkeeper, it is important to stop the opposition from scoring, as I am the last line of defence,” he said.
Reflecting on Nikita’s path to the team, his mum Natalia said it hasn’t been without its challenges.
“As he spends a lot of time in Newcastle playing with Mid Coast FC in the Premier Youth League (PYL), and recently training with the squad he is competing in Japan with, he has been missing some school,” she said.
“As a result, he can find it hard to catch up on homework.”
Nikita was initially the only player in the region selected for the team.
However, in an exciting turn of events, he will be joined by local teammate and school friend Mitchell Hagenbach.
It’s a call-up that Mitchell is elated about.
“I am really proud that I have made this squad,” he said.
“My main goal is to work as hard as I can and hopefully learn a few things from the coaches and boys in my team as well as the boys from other teams and nations.
“[And] I am very excited to share this journey with my good mate, Nikita.”
This is the first NNSWF representative team selection for Mitchell, who has the ability to play various positions including centre back, right back and central defensive midfielder.
Like Nikita, Mitchell plays for Mid Coast FC.
This is his third year playing in the PYL, where he is the captain of the U14s team.
From humble beginnings playing for the U6 Port Saints Rhinos to representative football, Mitchell has experience and resilience on his side.
“Mitchell was first selected for the PYL U13s competition when he was only 12,” his mum Carissa said.
“The challenge for Mitchell was learning how to play football against stronger, faster, more experienced and older players.”
The Tokyo U14s International Youth Football Tournament started in 2006.
It is organised by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo Sports Benefits Corporation, and the Tokyo Football Association.
The tournament aims to foster the development of the next generation of young footballers by promoting mutual understanding across national borders and enhancing athletes’ skills through competition.
