FNQ FC Heat defender Darcy McCormack has capped off an impressive first year in the National Premier Leagues by signing on with Sydney FC for the forthcoming National Youth League season.

The 18 year-old left-back will see out the rest of the NPL season with FNQ FC before joining Sydney FC's NYL team at the end of August on a one year deal.

McCormack was identified by Innisfail-raised former Socceroo and current Sydney FC NYL Coach Steve Corica, who won two A-League championships with the sky blues as a player as well as an NSL grand final title with Marconi.

An elated McCormack, who has made 19 senior appearances for Heat this season, described the opportunity to play National Youth League with Sydney FC as “awesome”.

“It's going to be a completely new experience and I'm going to give it all I've got,” he promised.

The contract follows a recent week-long trial in Sydney where McCormack trained with several of Sydney FC’s high-profile stars.

“Training was kind of simple but at another level of intensity. Here I was with the big names I'd watched on TV like Brett Emerton and Nicky Carle - it was cool,” McCormack explained.

FNQ FC Interim Coach Joe Fenech praised McCormack’s accomplishment.

“I'm really very happy for the young lad,” Fenech said.

“Darcy has always shown to me a great, positive attitude and determined work ethic. He deserves what he's received and I wish him all the best.”

McCormack's contract comes under a year after FNQ FC was established and is testament to the club's ability to get local players to the elite level.

“Darcy's gone through the right football pathway,” Fenech explained.

“The fact that he's playing in the NPL, it's like he's in the shopping window – A-League clubs are actively scouting this league.”

“As a FNQ FC player, he's also being taught under the FFA (Football Federation Australia) curriculum which again is very attractive for scouts - A-League coaches know these players have great skills and tactical nouse.”

McCormack acknowledged the important role his time with FNQ FC served in his development.

“Being in the Heat has given me a lot of experience – way more than I'd get at club level in Cairns,” McCormack said.

“I wouldn't have had this opportunity (with Sydney FC) had I not been involved with the Heat.”

More Heat players could soon join McCormack at the next level, with several trialling at various A-league teams in recent months.

Several Heat players have also claimed major representative selections – four female players from the FNQ FC Academy were earlier selected to represent Queensland in the FFA Nationals at Coffs Harbour where Heat's Ayana Aoyagi was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

 

 

Words: FNQ FC Media
Image: Keith Eigeland