Brisbane Strikers right back and Australian Under 20 representative Alistair Quinn is the latest National Premier Leagues senior player to progress to the next level following a successful trial with Dutch Eredivisie club NAC Breda FC.

Quinn penned a deal to play with the club’s reserves til the end of the season and his move to one of the most respected league systems in Europe continues a journey that has taken the 20 year old through the Queensland Academy of Sport, the National Youth League and NPL Queensland.

The former Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney Wanderers youth player was a standout for the Strikers last year, making 17 appearances for the semi-finalists and earning selection to the 2013 NPL Queensland Supporters XI.

Quinn ventured overseas after the NPL Queensland season concluded in September and trialled with clubs in Scotland and Holland before securing a contract with NAC Breda, who have competed in the Dutch top flight since 2000.

Strikers Director of Coaching David Large said that while many coaches had contributed to Quinn’s development, he was particularly eager to highlight the contribution of QAS coach, and former Brisbane Roar defender, Josh McCloughan.

“I think that if you’re going to talk about Alistair Quinn you have to talk about Josh McCloughan, he’s had a big influence on Alistair’s development,” Large explained.

“He’s been a guiding light for Alistair and is certainly a coach that, if there is going to be any kudos given to where Alistair has gotten today, Josh should certainly get a slice of that without a doubt.

Large said he wasn’t surprised Quinn had been snapped up at the higher level and explained what made him such an exciting prospect.

“I think Alistair technically has done all the right things from ages 12 to 17,” Large said.

“He’s technically competent, he’s very quick, especially in his recovery, and he’s got absolutely brilliant engines that allow him to play in different roles, especially in wide areas.

“And there’s his grit and determination which is shown in trying to get a professional gig, it’s also there on the football park and he shows a lot of determination as well.

“He achieves in a quiet fashion – he lets his actions do the work not his mouth.”

Large, who originally hails from the north of England, also said it was telling that following unsuccessful trials in Scotland, it was the more technical Dutch that identified further potential in Quinn’s game.

“It’s certainly the way we’ve been conditioned over the past three years through the QAS and the NPL, that style is something Alistair is very competent with and accustomed to,” Large explained.

“When you think about it he didn’t make it in Scotland, he made it over there in Holland, and you’d have to think the style of play has something to do with it,” he concluded.

Quinn, who recently spoke to footballcentral.com,au, said,”My goal for this season is to make my debut in the Eredivisie.”

“To do that I will need to be putting in very good performances each week in the reserves and give the coaches no choice but to give me an opportunity in the first team.

“If I can do that then yes I think first team football in the Eredivise is a possibility this season”

You can read Alistair Quinn’s full interview with Football Central’s Adam Howard here – http://bit.ly/1dlWQPQ

 

Words: Michael Flynn (Football Queensland)
Image: Football Central AU