Prasad Ready For Next Step
Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Andrew Shaw
Brisbane Roar Youth’s Jayden Prasad is determined to make every post a winner after being selected for the Young Socceroos training camp next week.
The versatile attacker will head to New South Wales’ central coast for a four-day Young Socceroos training camp – the first of three as Paul Okon’s side prepare for a raft of upcoming international tournaments.
The Young Socceroos training camp is the first of three to be held in preparation for the AFF U19 Championship (11-24 September in Hanoi) and AFC U19 Championship (13-30 October in Bahrain).
Prasad is the sole player from PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland selected in the 23-man training squad, which will play against Hyundai A-League side Central Coast Mariners during the camp.
They 19-year-old said he was determined to make the most of this latest opportunity, which follows an impressive rise from Redlands United U16 Boys in 2013 to now training with the Roar’s Hyundai A-League squad.
“I never expected this and it has all happened really quickly. The past eight months in particular have just flown by and everything seems to be happening,” Prasad said enthusiastically.
“The move to Roar last year was hard at first but it didn’t take me long to get into the swing of things.”
“I had a few injuries at the start but once I got going I’ve loved it. I’ve been training hard and just wanting to improve every training session.”
Prasad joined Young Roar in late 2015 after progressing through the ranks of Redlands’ youth development programme in PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues.
He transitioned from the competition’s junior divisions, where he amassed an astounding 41 goals in as many games, to become a proving goal scorer at senior level – announcing himself with a double on debut against Brisbane City in 2014.
Prasad said he is grateful for the opportunity provided by his previous club as he sought to prove himself at senior level.
“Redlands helped me incredibly. To have players such as Graham Fyfe, Michael Lee and Nico Bechar all helping me with their experience - it just improved my game.”
He added, “The NPL is a great place to show what you got and if you’re playing well you will always have an opportunity because you never know who is going to be watching.”
Prasad’s selection for the Young Socceroos training camp squad comes after overcoming injury concerns that hampered his transition to Young Roar in the Foxtel National Youth League during the summer.
But after establishing himself in Josh McCloughan’s side through the current PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues campaign, Prasad now finds himself part of Brisbane Roar pre-season preparations for the next Hyundai A-League season.
“It was our first week this week and it’s been going really well. I’ve loved every single minute of it but it is a different level,” he explained.
“It’s crazy because I’ve been watching Thomas Broich and Matty McKay and now I’m training with them. To be part of the team and the culture is unbelievable and a great feeling.”
Prasad said that despite his achievements to date, he is aware he needs to continue to learn and develop if he is to achieve his dream of becoming a full-time professional.
“I would love to play in the A-League one day, so I need to keep working hard and see how things go from there.”
Prasad is joined at the Young Socceroos camp by Brisbane Roar Hyundai A-League player Kye Rowles.
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