Wishing and hoping - The faces of 2018
Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chairman, Frank Lowy AC, today met with the young men who will carry the hopes of Australian football for the next decade.
The Australian Under 17 team - known as the Qantas Joeys - met with the team as they assembled in Sydney to watch their senior counterparts, the Socceroos, play an international friendly match against Ghana on Friday night.
“This is our football future,” Mr Lowy said.
“These young men are the faces of 2018 who will be the core of the team that fills our field of dreams in our bid to host and play in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.”
Mr Lowy said that he wants players around Australia, who have aspirations to be a footballer, to be committed to the Australian cause for 2018 and beyond.
“There is no greater honour than representing your country.
“Australia provides you with education, both academic and sporting, and I think it-s only fair that young people with sporting ability should choose with pride to play for Australia whether you are born here or come as a migrant or refugee.”
Mr Lowy said that he was delighted the Qantas Joeys reflected the diversity of the Australian population, comprising players from all over Australia and including some who had come to Australia as refugees and migrants.
He encouraged all of them to work hard at school and at football.
“Dreams do come true if you-re prepared to work hard.”
“Our bid for the 2018 FIFA World Cup is not a dry run,” he said.
“We want to host, play in and win the World Cup in 2018.”