Rising soccer star joins state squad

A SOCCER player will soon represent both Ballarat and the state as part of the upcoming School Sport Victoria Australia Nationals Championships.

Felix Murray has been selected as part of the 16s and under boys soccer squad and will compete in the nationals at Port Kennedy in Western Australia from Sunday 11 to Friday 16 August.

He said he’s keen to represent the region.

“I’m very excited and looking forward to the opportunity, going over to Perth, and taking the family on a one-week holiday,” he said.

“I’m the only country kid in the team and the other boys are in the metro area so it’ll be good to play with the boys I usually play against on a game day.”

The Ballarat High School student started out playing with the Victoria Park Vultures, after which he joined Ballarat City Football Club’s National Premier League.

He now plays with North Geelong, and makes the drive up and down the Midland Highway several times a week for practice.

No stranger to representing country Victoria, Murray previously competed in the National Youth Championships at Coffs Harbour in 2022.

“My team came fourth or fifth that tournament and I remember I played really well,” he said.

“For the upcoming comp, I’m excited, because I’ll get to play with the top kids in the state and see where my game’s at.

“I’m confident I’ll do really well. I’m looking to win and get selected by Schools Australia to go for a trip overseas.”

Murray is also set to travel to the UK in September to trial for soccer academies as part of the Euro Football Star program.