Bingera Football Club player Patrick McMahon is kicking goals in the sporting world after being selected to play for Queensland at the National Titles in Sydney this week.
The 17-year-old will take to the field from Wednesday in the three-day competition and said the opportunity to play in the men's division was something he was excited about.
“It is a really big opportunity for me,” Patrick said.
The Shalom College student made the Queensland Under 19s side after his skills were spotted by selectors while representing the Wide Bay.
“At school I was selected for a Bundaberg team, I then made the Wide Bay team and we went on to compete in Maroochydore about three weeks ago,” he said.
“That's where I ended up getting selected for the Queensland team.”
Patrick will spend time in a training camp in Sydney before taking to the field to play for Queensland.
He said as for a position, it was still undecided as to what role he would take on.
“I usually play mid-field but for this team, I don't know what I am playing,” he said.
“In Wide Bay I could play a variety of positions, I am a bit of an all-rounder so for Queensland I could be forward, defence, mid-field or anything really!”
Patrick said he had been playing football from a young age and loved everything about the sport.
“I love meeting new people and I really enjoy the game, I have been playing since I was four years old,” he said.
“The people around the sport are really amazing and I have made some really great friends over the years.”
As for the people he looked up to on and off the field, Patrick said sporting stars like Lionel Messi and Australia's Tim Cahill were his idols.
Locally, he said his family, club and former coach were a big part of his success.
“Mum and Dad and my brother are my biggest supporters and the club Bingera has been really great in helping me,” he said.
“My old coach Connor Gordon, he has also been a big person in my life.”
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