Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images

Queensland’s three PlayStation 4 Player Pathway Award Finalists agree that despite falling short of winning the award they all received invaluable experience from the initiative.

Western Pride’s Joe Duckworth and Jesse Rigby, as well as Sunshine Coast FC’s Grant De Chastel, represented Queensland at the three-day training camp in Sydney last week for award - which was introduced this year by Football Federation Australia in conjunction with Sony Entertainment Australia.

They were joined by 21 other stand-out talents between the ages of 16 and 20 from across the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues vying for the award’s prize of a two-week trial with Hyundai A-League powerhouse Sydney FC.

That honour ultimately went to Kristian Trajceski from Victorian club Hume City, however, the Queenslanders all agreed the initiative offered plenty of benefits as they seek to take the next step on their football journeys

“I can’t complain about not winning and, to be honest, anyone could have won it because they were all good players,” Duckworth, 19, explained.

“It was really beneficial and I enjoyed the experience. We were surrounded by ex-Socceroos and we spent our time picking their brains and learning as much as we could.”

“We did most of our work in groups because football is a team game. We were told that if we worked together well then we would also get our own individual moments to shine.”

Amongst the coaches on hand to judge the youngsters were Socceroos Assistant Coach Ante Milicic, Sydney FC youth coach Rob Stanton, and ex-Socceroos Craig Foster and John Kosmina.

Kristian Trajceski of @FCHumeCity #PS4NPLVIC has won the PS4 Player Pathway Award and a trial with @SydneyFC! pic.twitter.com/ELutYzlIvw

— PlayStationAustralia (@PlayStationAU) September 28, 2016

Rigby, 19, captains Pride week-to-week in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland and said the benchmarks he was exposed to will provide plenty of motivation for next season.

“We were all comparing ourselves to the other players and what we need to do to take that next step.”

“We got the results of the yo-yo test and the vertical leap test and then compared that to a professional footballer and where we need to be to reach that level and how much work we need to do.”

“The intensity was at 100 per cent for the whole training and there is just no slacking off. If you want to make it to the next level then you really have to be doing all the right things.”

Both Rigby and Duckworth said they were hoping to push again for a place next year should the PlayStation 4 Player Pathway Award return.

However, De Chastel, 20, will be too old for next season’s iteration – but he doesn’t think that means he will fall off the radar of the top flight clubs in 2017.

“There are high expectations in a professional environment like that and it was really eye-opening,” De Chastel said.

“I’m now going to try to implement the things I learned into my own game. You’ve got to put the work in, prepare right, do well, train well and be professional and hopefully those chances come along."

"I’m really looking forward to improving my football for the future,” he concluded.