Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Gordon Reeves/Western Pride FC

Former Foxtel National Youth League star Todd Norris is the latest Queensland Academy of Sport product to find a home with Western Pride.

The 19-year-old linked up with a host of his former QAS and Brisbane Roar Youth teammates at Pride in recent weeks following a brief stint with Perth Glory Youth in the Foxtel National Youth League and PlayStation 4 NPL Western Australia.

The versatile attacker has hit the ground running with his new club - scoring his first goal for the club in the weekend’s 5-2 defeat at the hands of Olympic FC.

Norris said he sees Queensland's second tier, as well as Pride, as the perfect place to hone his skills before taking the next step towards a professional career.

“I had been with a few of the (Pride) boys at the Roar and it just wasn’t working out at Perth - being away from home and I just wasn’t enjoying it,” he explained.

“Obviously I spoke to a few other clubs as well but Pride just felt like the right place for me to go at this point in time.”

Norris admitted he considered the more financially rewarding PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues competitions in New South Wales and Victoria; however Pride’s emphasis on opportunities for young talent convinced him of the merits of linking up with coach Karl Dodd at the Ipswich-based club.

“Most of the team is under 20 and we have some decent players coming through,” he said.

“Karl wants to develop us and he said we don’t have to win every game. It’s all about development here and if there are opportunities that come up for us he won’t hold us back.

“He wants to see us progress and move forward and that’s his main priority. It’s a good philosophy.”

Norris added that while he was now happy at Pride and once again enjoying his football, he stills harbours long-term aims of playing top-tier football.

“I want to stay here in Australia for the time being. An A-League contract would be ideal and that was a major reason why I joined Perth.”

“I wouldn’t rule out going overseas just yet, but I’m still young and still developing and just getting back to enjoying my football.”

Norris will again don the green-and-white hoops for Pride when they travel to Toowoomba for their next PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland.

He said despite the club’s recent run of four matches without a win, he is confident they can get a win against the bottom-placed SWQ Thunder.

“We haven’t really put in a full ninety minute performance since I’ve been here but it’s coming.”

“We always start strong - we went one-nil up against Moreton Bay, City and Olympic. We start so well but just can’t keep going on with it at the moment,” he concluded.

Fixture details:

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland - Round 12

SWQ Thunder FC v Western Pride FC
Clive Berghofer Stadium, Toowoomba
Sunday, May 31
Kick-off - 4:00PM