mmg.com.au

Two of Goulburn North East Football Association’s brightest young prospects will be on show at the National Under-12 Skills Acquisition Program Championships in Tasmania later this month.

Shepparton midfielder Fraser Gosstray and Cobram midfielder Gianluca Iannucci have been chosen to represent Victoria Country at the championships, which will feature a team from South Korea.

The pair impressed selectors during their time in both the Shepparton section of the Football Federation Australia-run program and for Victorian Champions League club Rivers, before successfully trialling for the team at Darebin International Sports Centre two weeks ago.

The championships feature small-sided games, with nine players per team, played on a smaller pitch.

After going head-to-head with Gosstray in club practice matches on the weekend, Iannucci, 11, said he was looking forward to renewing his collaboration with him, rather than playing against him.

‘‘I’m pretty happy, we played together for Rivers and he’s a good player,’’ Iannucci said.

‘‘I know a lot of the players (because) I’ve played with or against most of them.

‘‘We had two groups on the (trial) day, so I didn’t get to see the players in the other group, but our group was pretty strong.’’

The team is coached by Bendigo-based SAP coach Nick Mammome and only includes 12 players, meaning every player is likely to get plenty of game time.

Iannucci said he was hoping to ‘‘get noticed’’ and is working on ‘‘getting the ball away quicker and making quicker decisions’’.

Gosstray is hoping to take up a place in central midfield and has set his sight on winning the championships.

The 11-year-old has been working on his touch and is looking forward to the chance to put it to the test against some of the most talented young players in Australia.