Words: Michael Flynn, Football Queensland
Image: Neil Edgar

Talented Sunshine Coast Fire teenager Adam Edgar is making the most of the skills he has honed in NPL Queensland after recently completing trials with a host of professional British football clubs.

Edgar, who originally hails from the English city of Liverpool before moving with his family to Australia six years ago, has scored 16 goals in 8 games for Fire Under 16’s this season – including a hat-trick last weekend against SWQ Thunder.

After previously being on the fringes of QAS selection, he recently ventured to the United Kingdom as he sought to impress high profile professional clubs including Rangers, Preston North End, Birmingham City and Middlesbrough.

The 16 year old has since returned to Fire to maintain his match sharpness, but is set to return to Rangers in July when he will be considered for a professional youth contract.

While admitting the competitiveness of British football was an adjustment, Edgar said his time with Fire provided a solid grounding and the club encouraged his ambition.

“They’ve been fine with me (going over to trial) and they’ve understood it’s important to me. It’s important to them as well so they can get the credit for bringing me through,” he said.

The young forward said he’d particularly benefitted from the guidance of Sunshine Coast Fire coaching programme, led by club Technical Director Kevin A’herne-Evans, a former Wales Under 21 representative.

Edgar explained, “At Sunshine Coast the football we play is really calm and we get a lot more touches on the ball. You not just looking for certain players, but playing around as a team and Kevin is really getting us ready for senior football.”

He also praised Fire Under 16's coach Ben Cahn’s contribution to his development.

“(Ben) has helped me become a lot more calmer about my play. In the few months I’ve been training with him he has really improved me and he’s been really good,” Edgar said.

Neil Edgar, Adam’s father, said when the family first arrived in south-east Queensland the pathway for elite football development was difficult for them to identify; however, with the advent of the National Premier Leagues, the way forward was much clearer.

“I’m very impressed with the NPL and what the whole NPL is trying to do to improve players and coaching,” the more senior Edgar said.

“All of the clubs I know are trying to put those good practices in place, trying to get good qualified coaches and do the best for the lads and bring them through.”

“I think it will take some time but hopefully in the next five years what’s being done around the country with the National Curriculum and the way they are encouraging teams to play will generate better players.”

A’herne-Evans said that Fire wishes Edgar all the best as he chases his professional dream.

“Ideally the first preference is that they go through the QAS system but if they’re not successful in getting in through those kind of squads we make sure there are alternative routes for them as well,” A’herne-Evans explained.

“That’s in the UK, Japan or the USA. The beauty of the footballing world these days is that you’re only a couple of phone calls from being in touch with some big clubs.”

He explained that Fire encouraged players to go as far as they can with their football and don’t punish a player for seeking professional opportunities.

A'herne-Evans said, “They come back with open arms and, in Adam’s case, we got the report off Birmingham City to see how they see him as a player."

"So that’s important for us as well, to harness that knowledge and work on things that will help his game and give him the best opportunity to go on and be a professional footballer,” he further clarified.

Despite his promising progress towards a professional career, Edgar remains aware of maintaining a level head and not getting ahead of himself.

“I just got to keep going one step at a time. Nothing’s been fully confirmed so I can’t look too far ahead,” he said.