MILDURA’S Riley Aunger wants to put himself on the Australian soccer map.
The 18-year-old will try his luck for Belmont-based Valentine Phoenix in the National Premier League’s (NPL) Northern NSW competition.
Having been starring for a dominant Mildura City in the S-League, Aunger will fulfill an eight-week stint in NSW in a bid to get his foot in the door to make a career as a professional.
“The dream is obviously to play professionally for a living and this is a first step towards that dream,” he said.
“I just got talking through a mutual friend who happened to know a bit about the club and he put me in touch with the coaches up here. We talked for a bit and he offered me the chance to come up and have a run.
“Valentine Phoenix are a great family club with really experienced and good coaches who are ex-A-League players. It’s a young side as well, so I think it’s made for me to help develop as a player.
“I’ll play out the rest of the season here, which is eight or nine game. Next year is up in the air but hopefully if I can put my best foot forward something might come of it.”
Coach of the Phoenix is Adam Hughes, who played 75 A-League games for Adelaide United and Perth Glory, as well as having stints in England, Ireland and China.
Aunger paid tribute to those back home in Mildura for giving him the chance to take this opportunity.
“The coaches in Mildura have been amazing, but there is only so much development you can do at one club and I think an experience like this will be beneficial in the long run.
“I always played midfield but over the last couple of years I’ve been out on the wings or up front, so I’m happy to play whatever role the coach wants me to.
“It’s all the people back home that make this possible – my family, girlfriend, mates and the club have all been super supportive of me in taking a chance.”
Aunger made his debut over the weekend against the Western Bears.
