There’s plenty of promising talent coming through the ranks at the BRFC Academy with a number of academy products breaking into the first team and earning Hyundai A-League debuts.
18-year-old Zach Duncan, who came on as a second half substitute in Saturday’s match against Melbourne Victory, became the fourth BRFC Academy product to make his Hyundai A-League debut this season.
Duncan follows in the footsteps of Aaron Reardon, Jay Barnett and Izaack Powell, who were all also part of the Young Roar squad that claimed the Club’s first Foxtel National Youth League title earlier this season.
Powell became the Roar’s youngest ever Hyundai A-League player when he debuted in February’s win over Sydney FC, aged just 16 years, 351 days.
All four have come through the Roar’s two-star Academy, which under the new FFA system is designed to increase the opportunities for young players by providing greater exposure to high-quality, accredited coaches and a challenging football environment.
Following its establishment in 2018, the BRFC Academy is now entering it’s second season after last month’s after the 2019 NPL Queensland season kicked off last month. Six Academy squads compete in competitions an age group higher than their own, from U14 through to Men’s.
Following Duncan’s debut last weekend, Interim Head Coach Darren Davies said positive foundations were being put in place with the number of young players coming through at the Club.
“There are real positives that we’re playing young players, they’re getting extended game time and they can only be better for the experience,” Davies said.
“I said to young Zach before he went on just go on and enjoy it, he’s worked hard all his life, all his family has.”
“Just to go out in an arena like this and to play against the champions at home, it doesn’t get better, I thought he was good when he came on as well, he’s going to be a good young player.”
