Three Manly United players in Australian Schoolboys football squad

Manly United trio Levi Kaye, Calem Nieuwenhof and Pratik Napit as well as Sydney FC’s Harry McCarthy are still pinching themselves after their recent selection in the under-19s Australian Schoolboys football squad.

They will be joined by Hakoah Sydney City East’s Maximilien Balard for a three-week tour of the United Kingdom in January.

In an extraordinary feat, Balard, Kaye, Nieuwenhof and McCarthy all attend school at Northern Beaches Secondary College in Freshwater.

Napit is enrolled at North Sydney Boys High.

“It is pretty amazing to think the whole process began with zone trials before we then made Sydney North and NSW Schoolboys before the national squad,” Nieuwenhof said.

“Playing with your mates makes it that little bit more special as well.

“I’ve played with Levi and Harry since were about 10 or 11.

“To think we will get to represent Australia together is unreal.”

Kaye, a Pittwater RSL FC junior, is a talented goalkeeper while McCarthy, who began his football journey with Wakehurst, is a striker.

Balard plays in the middle of the park, often beside Curl Curl junior Nieuwenholf.

Napit is a hard working midfielder with an eye for goal.

“I moved to Australia a couple of years ago and wanted to play at Manly this year but it didn’t work out, that’s football,” Balard said.

“It is pretty funny playing against Levi and Calem at club level, honours are even this year.

“We may play each other in the semis coming up, I’m sure the tackles will be flying in.”

McCarthy is on the Sky Blues’ books and has long been regarded as a talented player on the rise.

While his three soon to be national teammates are studying for their HSC, he is only in year 11.

The youngster was also named player of the tournament at the recent NSW CHS championships.

Come January, the UK tour will include five international games versus England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and North Ireland.

Potential club games against Bristol City, Morecombe FC, Bolton FC and England Universities are also on the cards.