Words: Steve Pitman
Image: Patrick Kearney

Brisbane Strikers winger Shelford Dais is heading south of the border after accepting an offer to join Central Coast Mariners Youth in PlayStation 4 NPL New South Wales.

Dais, 19, has proved a revelation for Strikers in the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues this season – his pace and work rate proving a crucial part of Strikers’

While conceding he had mixed feelings about departing Strikers – the club he rejoined six months ago after two years with Brisbane Roar Youth – Dais said he is relishing the chance to ultimately push for a place in the Hyundai A-League with Mariners.

“I’m excited to go down there but sad to leave Strikers already, after only just rejoining,” Dais explained.

“I hope to play NPL with the Mariners, try to start every week, go into the National Youth League team and have a good season, and then hopefully train with the first team and get into the first team.”

Dais added that his latest stint with Strikers had helped rebuild his confidence after feeling stifled as part of the Young Roar.

“My confidence has definitely gone up. Kevin (A’Herne-Evans) helped me a lot at training.”

“He told me he wanted me to run at the fullback all day, whenever it was on. I was enjoying the freedom.”

A’herne-Evans said Dais’s hot form in the national second tier was key to him earning an opportunity at Mariners, who were in the market for a right-sided winger or fullback.

“We gave him a glowing report and said he’d been terrific for us this season, so he was offered a chance to go down there on a week’s training camp,” A’herne-Evans said.

“As a result of that, they are keen to have him down there in their NPL and National Youth League set up.”

“He’s got a second opportunity to go down to an A-League club that is really looking to develop their whole junior structure. He goes with our blessing and we wish him the very best.”

Dais is the second Strikers youngster to join a Hyundai A-League club’s youth system this year, following defender Matthew Green’s transfer to Sydney FC.

Mariners Youth play in the third-tier PlayStation 4 NPL New South Wales 2 division alongside fellow Hyundai A-League clubs Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers.