Words & Image: Brisbane Roar FC

Former Redlands United FC and Olympic FC junior Liam O'Bryan continues to take steps on an inspiring and expanding football talent pathway in Queensland.

The 17-year-old was drafted into the Roar's PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland squad earlier this year and enjoyed the rare opportunity of playing for Young Roar against his former junior coach - Redlands United player-coach Graham Fyfe.

Young Roar ultimately won the match 2-1 against Fyfe's Devils, with O'Bryan coming on as a second-half substitute.

It was a special moment for both master and apprentice and highlighted a growing level of co-operation within Queensland football that will be galvanised further when the Roar play the cream of the competition’s Under-23 talent at QSAC on Saturday.

While it is too early in O'Bryan's football education for him to be involved in Saturday's ground-breaking clash, he typifies a host of skilful young footballers working hard with a dream of one day playing Hyundai A-League football.

O'Bryan said it was an unexpected surprise to play against Fyfe, who first coached him as a 12-year-old.

"He's a class player, he has pretty much made me the player I am so far and to play against him was a chance to show what I could do," O’Bryan said.

"I now have to keep working as hard as I can and make the most of any opportunities I might get at the Roar," he concluded.

And the Roar, in co-operation with Football Queensland, is helping to provide those opportunities by fostering and building the state’s talented pathway.

Few understand the importance of opportunities for talented youngsters better than Fyfe, who is a product of the Celtic youth system in his native Scotland.

He urged players involved in Saturday's All-Stars-Roar match to make the most of the opportunity and encouraged young players such as O'Bryan to continue working hard at their craft.

"This is the start of the hard work for them," Fyfe explained, “You can get so far on potential then you have to work hard to make yourself better all the time.”

"You can never think you have made it - always push yourself and listen to all the great coaches you are going to have around you."

Young Roar coach John Sime echoed Fyfe’s sentiments as he readies the next Young Roar squad to contest the upcoming Foxtel National Youth League.

"Coaches like Graham are doing a wonderful job in giving young players the right grounding in junior football and the NPL to help them make the next step up in their careers," Sime said.

This article originally appeared on the official Brisbane Roar FC website

Match Details:

PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 All-Stars vs Brisbane Roar FC
Saturday, 19 September
Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC), Brisbane
Kick-off at 4:30PM

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Elimination Final
Moreton Bay United FC v Edgeworth Eagles FC
Saturday, 19 September 2015
QSAC, Brisbane
Kick-off at 7:30PM

Gates Open at 3:30PM

Admission: $10 Adults, $5 Concesssion, Under 5's FREE, FFA Registered Players Under 16 FREE

Both matches will be LIVE streamed at www.nplqld.com.au