Two Lower Mountains footballers will represent Australia at a tournament in the United Kingdom in January.
Caleb Jackson-Brown, 17, from Mt Riverview and Jed Drew, 16, from Blaxland, were selected in the under 19s and under 16s, respectively, Australian Schoolboys Football Team.
They leave on January 9 for the two-week competition, competing against English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh teams in nine matches.
For Jed, who was born in Yorkshire, England, but moved to the Blue Mountains at age seven, it's a chance to return to his roots and check out the English competition. He's also keen to get noticed by any talent scouts observing the games.
"It gives us more of an opportunity for people to see us overseas," Jed said.
A winger, Jed has played for Springwood, Emu Plains and Sydney football clubs, and will play under 18s for Blacktown City in the NPL 1 (National Premier League) the upcoming season.
Caleb, a midfielder, will also play for Blacktown City in the under 20s NPL 1, in his seventh season with the club.
He loves the being part of the action. "I like getting on the ball a lot and controlling the game," Caleb said.
Both former Blaxland East Public students who have gone on to attend Westfield Sports High, the boys made their respective Australian teams after representation at state level.
"It's a privilege, I'm very honoured to be selected," Caleb said.
"I'm very happy and honoured," Jed said.
They will be hoping the weather gods are smiling as they adjust from a hot Australian summer, to a UK winter, preferably without snow, which would add a new level of difficulty to the game.
