Kicking Goals

Redcliffe High School student Daniel Black is making his mark on the pitch – just make sure you call it football, not soccer.

Daniel has been selected for a two-week UK development tour with English Premier League Football club, West Ham United, and the Year 7 student said he couldn’t be happier.

“I felt pretty excited (to be chosen), this will be my first time in the UK,” he said.

“I will be training with the West Ham academy team and two other clubs from the big six, we’re just not sure which ones yet.”

For those not in the know, the “big six” are Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham.

Daniel said although he was excited to be training with West Ham – where Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold is captain of the women’s team – he remained an Arsenal fan.

“Hopefully I could play for them one day, or even in Spain in La Liga for Real Madrid,” he said.

Mum Corrinne said the training tour was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“To be chosen, Daniel went to a two-day trial at Redcliffe run by George Cowie Football and was chosen from there to go to a four-day trial on the Gold Coast,” she said.

“I think there were about 600 kids there at the Gold Coast, and they just played a lot of football and had fitness testing as well.”

Daniel currently plays for Redcliffe-based club Peninsula Power but has also had success in Little Athletics, futsal, cross country, and touch football.

“He’s only been playing for three years with Pen Power, and he plays all different positions, wherever the coach needs him to go,” Corinne said.

“He’s played striker, midfield, even filled in as keeper when the keeper is away – he’s just got that natural talent.”

Daniel and Corinne will travel to the UK at the end of November for the tour, which also includes tickets to some Premier League and Championship games and a behind-the-scenes look at some of England’s most famous football stadiums.

“Just getting tickets to some of these Premier League games is such a convoluted process, you’ve got to go into a ballot,” Corrine said.

“But this is all organised for us as part of the tour with George Cowie Football and the West Ham United Foundation.

“It’s going to be amazing.”

For more information on the foundation and the tour, go to www.georgecowiefootball.com.au