Words: Michael Flynn

Western Pride goalkeeper Bon Scott has been selected to be part of a Young Socceroos training camp in Melbourne.

Scott is the sole Queensland-based selection in the camp which includes a host of PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues players from across the country, as well as Foxtel National Youth League players.

Scott, 19, has been a constant presence in his first season with Pride, contributing three clean sheets in fourteen appearances for the Ipswich-based club, who currently sit eighth in the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland standings.

Scott said he was “over-the-moon” with the call-up and expressed his gratitude to former Pride coach Karl Dodd for giving him the chance to shine in senior football after previously being unable to get game time in stints with Brisbane City and Brisbane Roar Youth.

“I was in a bit of a predicament while I was at those two clubs and I was going crazy sitting on the bench,” Scott explained.

“But my first season playing men’s has been really enjoyable and it’s a really good group of lads at Pride.”

“There was a few of us who were in the mix at our respective clubs and Karl said he wanted to take a punt on us and that he had full confidence in all of us - it helps to have the coach back you like that.”

Scott said the key to his selection was a focus on training and the assistance of Pride goalkeeping coach John Garside.

“I’ve been working really hard with John Garside and doing a bit of extras as well. But I’m just going to take everything one step at a time and just have a good time next week as much as possible and see where that takes me.”

Scott added that the number of PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues players selected for the camp was indicative of the growing stature and recognition of the competition from national selectors.

“To be honest I think it’s just the way the NPL is going at the moment and it speaks wonders for the competition at the moment.”

“I think they are getting out to all different games and different leagues around the country and that is awesome - it’s really good for the league,” he concluded.

Scott will be in goal for Pride against FNQ Heat tonight at Briggs Road Complex before heading off to the Young Socceroos camp.

The Young Socceroos training camp squad:

Daniel ALESSI (Western Sydney Wanderers), Bai ANTONIOU (Sutherland Sharks NSW), Thomas DENG (Melbourne Victory), Patrick FLOTTMAN (Blacktown City NSW), Alusine FOFANAH (Western Sydney Wanderers), Luke GALLO (Melbourne City), Alex GERSBACH (Sydney FC), Thomas HEWARD-BELLE (Western Sydney Wanderers), Michael HOLDEN (Devonport Strikers TAS), Anthony KALIK (Central Coast Mariners), Tariq MAIA (Sydney United 58 NSW), Jake MAMONE (Blacktown City NSW), Daniel MARGUSH (Adelaide United), George MELLS (Adelaide United), William MUTCH (Blacktown Spartans NSW), Dejan PANDUREVIC (Manly United NSW), Lachlan ROBERTS (Sydney United 58 NSW), Liam ROSE (Central Coast Mariners), Bon SCOTT (Western Pride QLD), Lachlan SCOTT (Apia Leichhardt NSW), George TIMOTHEOU (Blacktown City NSW), Liam YOULLEY (Western Sydney Wanderers), Chris ZUVELA (Sydney United 58 NSW)