Perth Australia U16's academy team in England

[blueheeler1]

Not earth shattering news, I know, but my grandson will play for the U16 Perth Glory academy team against U16's Barcelona in Spain in a few days time then onto England two days later for a couple of weeks where they will play against U16's Man City, Middlesborough and Sunderland.

Perth Glory is the only professional football team in Western Australia and plays in the Australian "A" league against teams from the other Australian states.

I rate the "A" League as somewhere between lower Championship and League 1 standard in England.

It's not often a young team from Australia gets the chance to play abroad.

Early this year he and his team were in Singapore playing in an U16's seven a side comp against Man Utd, Liverpool Fulham and Valencia to name but a few and one of his team is now contracted to Fulham.

Last year his "Glory" team won the U18's Perth NPL (National Premier League).

Will be a big learning curve and just sorry I wont be there to watch.

[sinkov]

Good luck to your grandson Blue, I hope he does well and most of all enjoys the trip. I wouldn't normally wish any Aussie sportsman well, but in this case I'll make an exception.

[Altobelli]

I bet you are over the moon Heeler, shame you could not get to see him

[blueheeler1]

I bet you are over the moon Heeler, shame you could not get to see him

Yes, dead right Altobelli.

But we were in England last November then Alaska last month and New Zealand next Feb so time and money beat us!

The lad is quietly determined to become a professional so maybe he can make it.

But as we all know its not just about ability but also luck and being in the right place at the right time.

Trouble is Australia is so far away that it takes planning and funding to try and make the grade outside of Australia where

opportunities are limited.

But what the heck--he's having a go.

[Altobelli]

But what the heck--he's having a go.

And its great he's up to a standard and has the chance to shine, and hopefully he does, its having to console them if and when it comes tumbling down, hopefully it doesn't.

[blueheeler1]

And its great he's up to a standard and has the chance to shine, and hopefully he does, its having to console them if and when it comes tumbling down, hopefully it doesn't.

Whilst I'm not certain this is the right course of action we have talked about what he wants to do if professional football doesn't work.

He is level headed and has an alternate plan--but I doubt he really thinks that way.

Every football wanabee has parents and extend family right in his corner.

It couldn't even begin to work without that.

Training 4 times a week at 6.30 am before school with the Academy; gym on Tuesday night and playing on a Saturday--try telling them it might not work.

I wish I had had his talent!

Just a hack amateur was I--but loved every minute.

Now just an armchair old fart.

[blueheeler1]

Good luck to your grandson Blue, I hope he does well and most of all enjoys the trip. I wouldn't normally wish any Aussie sportsman well, but in this case I'll make an exception.

But he carries a British (EU?) passport as my wife and I and his Mum are English--does that help?

[sinkov]

But he carries a British (EU?) passport as my wife and I and his Mum are English--does that help?

I suppose it depends on how he sees it himself Blue, does he want to play for Australia or England ? Australia might be the better bet, we do seem to have a whole shedload of world class youngsters coming through over here at the moment. But whatever, I wish him well, good luck to him.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

But he carries a British (EU?) passport as my wife and I and his Mum are English--does that help?

I'm curious on this issue blueheeler1. Does your grandson have dual nationality or is he deemed to be an Australian?

[blueheeler1]

I'm curious on this issue blueheeler1. Does your grandson have dual nationality or is he deemed to be an Australian?

Yes BT he does have dual nationality. As do my wife, myself, my son and my daughter--all British born but now Australians.

It follows that their Australian children can also apply for a British passport due to the fact their parents or one of their parents are British. If not, then dual nationality could not apply.

However, I do not know how far one can go back in Australia with your family history to enjoy this dual nationality arrangement with Britain. Grandparents?

You don't necessarily relinquish your birth right just because you change countries. America used to be an exception to this but not sure you can't have dual nationality in America nowadays.

Personally my wife and I travel on Australian passports purely because it gets us most places in the world without the need for visas. And a British passport will cost me another passport fee unnecessarily.

But when I come back to Blighty I have to stand at customs in "the other queue" whilst EU passport holders just walk through.

No biggie but a tad frustrating.

The Queen is the sovereign ruler over Australia.

Whilst I am certain Australia will one day choose to become a Republic a by-product is that it will challenge this dual nationality process for sure.