TAREE'S Connor Humphrey will join his close mate, Jack Yi in the Australian under 13 boy's futal team to play in the Montesilvano Cup in Italy next June.
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Connor was originally named in the Australian under 12s to contest the Costa Brava Cup in Barcelona. However, due to problems getting a team together, Connor was drafted into the 13s.
"I'm looking foward to it,'' Connor said.
"I can't wait, especially now being in the same team as Jack.''
Connor is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana.
He came to the attention of national selectors when he played strongly for Manning under 12s at the national championships played in Sydney earlier this year.
He's been to the nationals for the past three seasons, but said this was the best he's played. However, he wasn't expecting to get a start in the Australian side.
Connor said it was a pretty amazing moment when his name was read out in the team.
"I was speechless,'' he smiled.
"It was just great...I couldn't believe it.''
There's a strong Victorian representation in the Australian 13s squad with five players selected.
There's one player from Western Australia and one from Queensland, with Connor and Jack from NSW.
The Montesilvano Cup will be played from Monday June 24 to Friday June 28 in various age divisions. Last year teams from 12 nations were involved and a similar response is expected in June.
The event has been growing steadily since it was first played in 2013.
Connor has been playing futsal for three years. Wing is is favoured position.
He was introduced to futsal from soccer, where he started playing with Taree Wildcats when he was four - in the same side as Jack. He usually plays up an age group and he's hoping his side will be able to improve on their efforts in 2018, when they made the semi-finals.
He's had a run in a few different positions in soccer, but usually plays on the wing.
However, Connor says the rapid-fire pace of futsal makes it his preferred game, even though his side, the Ginger Ninjas, lost their grand final last week.
"I like it better, the game's quicker,'' he said.
He also thinks his game has improved since he was invited to join the Manning Academy, run by Manning Futsal president James Goldsmith.
When he's not running around the football field or the futsal court, Connor trains for karate. Just before he spoke to the Times he took part in Taree High School's cross country run.
He is in year seven at Taree High.