Tanja local, Jakome Roberts-Charlton is an avid and aspiring young sportsman who is achieving great success representing the Far South Coast in athletics, cricket and soccer.
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Jakome has recently been named in the NSW Under 13s state football team to take on the National Youth Championships in Coffs Harbour on September 24-28.
He will do a Football NSW preparation camp in Sydney on September 21-23.
The championships will pit him against the best players from around Australia, but also serves as a talent trial for NSW rep and FFA national teams.
“Being selected from such a large pool of players from around the State and now actually playing for NSW is a great honour and it’s satisfying that all my hard work has paid off. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to play in the National Championships and I’ll absolutely give it my all,” Jakome said.
He grew a love of soccer in the backyard as soon as he could kick a ball with his dad and has been a member of the Tathra United club since he was five – starting in the mini-soccer.
At 12 he played 14s and now he plays in the Tathra 16s outfit.
He’s also part of the FSC under 13 rep side, having played as part of the rep outfit for the past three years, but this year has been added to a “Talented Sports Program” with Football NSW.
Jakome was identified as a talented player by his Representative coach Peter Rees and has participated in 3 residential selection trials and training camps at Valentine Park in Sydney which enable access to all FootballNSW facilities, resources and coaches.
Jakome’s Rep Coach Peter Rees said “This is absolutely fantastic news. For a young 13yo country kid to be noticed, trialled and selected to participate at basically the highest level the game has to offer is a massive achievement.
Jakome's merits were discussed at the last FSCFA meeting, with all in attendance amazed with the story of the local lad facing the necessary challenges to secure his dream. Good friend the late Karl Posselt would say ‘have respect and be proud of what you represent’. Well done Jakome”.
He survived two rigorous selection trials in April and July over four days each and a final camp in August where the team was trimmed to the final 17.
“I’d really like to thank all the people who have supported me to reach this level – all my coaches and particularly Peter Rees, Alfred Oesch, Ray Hale, Sam Constable and my dad David Charlton; the awesome Tathra United Football Club and the Far South Coast Football Association; all my fellow players and my amazing mum Lisa Roberts”, said Jakome.
