I'm an 18-year-old footballer currently living and playing professionally in Italy. I grew up in Wollongong, Australia, and was educated at sports focussed state schools. My early football journey saw me play for Sydney FC, Football South Coast, and the Wollongong Wolves. At 15, I made the difficult decision to leave home to chase my dream of becoming a professional footballer in Europe.

I moved to an academy in Portugal, where I quickly learned what it truly takes to reach the professional level. I started by playing for a district team, and in my first year of U19s, I earned a transfer to a national U19 league — competing against the best teams in the country and beginning to build my network in European football. After two seasons at the national U19 level, I recently signed my first professional contract in Europe.

The journey has been full of challenges and sacrifices, but it's also been incredibly rewarding. Living in an academy has taught me life-changing lessons both on and off the field. I often think about how helpful it would have been to have a program like this when I was younger and starting out — one that could guide, prepare, and inspire aspiring players. That’s why I’m passionate about sharing what I’ve learned and giving back to the next generation of footballers chasing the same dream.