Olympic FC has snapped up talented young goalkeeper Ryan Meskell, with the former Australian Schoolboys representative following Reuben Way as the champions’ second signing of the summer.

Meskell established himself as one of the NPL Queensland’s most promising shot-stoppers last season, appearing in 21 matches as Palm Beach Sharks’ number one.

Olympic FC Head Coach Jim Bellas was clearly impressed with the 19-year-old’s form which has earned him a move to the league’s premiership-championship double-winners.

“I weighed up my options between Palm Beach and Olympic and just decided that right now I think it would be good for me to join Olympic FC,” Meskell said.

“I feel pretty proud to be offered an opportunity at Olympic. The coach has faith that I can do a good job and I am confident.

“I have trained with a few of the young ‘keepers here already and I’m sure they are going to push me.”

Olympic supporters may remember Meskell from his impressive efforts in Palm Beach’s 3-1 loss at Goodwin Park in Round 4, which included saving a penalty from his new captain Danny Byrne, but the talented athlete might have made a name for himself in another way altogether.

“I played rugby league with the Gold Coast Titans from U16s to U18s and had an option to move into the training squad for the U20s, but I pulled out short of that contract because I could not keep doing both,” he said.

“Only last year I had to make up my mind between football and rugby league and with the National Premier Leagues being a good opportunity I decided to go with football.

“I was leaning towards rugby league until the NPL came about, because it is a good league to be noticed and progress through the pathway.”

Having spent a week training with Brisbane Roar in the A-League club’s pre-season and now preparing for an NPL Queensland title defence, the Canberran has no regrets about choosing his primary sporting passion.

“I am happy where I am now at a successful club.”

 

Words: Matt Dorman (Olympic FC)
Image: Nick Milton