Braiden Ball has never played soccer, but he has proven to be a pretty handy goalkeeper on the futsal court.
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The eight-year-old from Huntlee was recently selected in the Australian under-9s futsal team that will travel to Spain in June next year to contest the Costa Brava Cup.
Braiden - who attends Nulkaba Public School - represented Northern NSW Futsal at the national schools championships in Queensland in October.
He played in the under-8s as goalkeeper, stepped up to the under-9s as they didn't have a goalkeeper, and made the semi-finals in both age groups.
Braiden has played rugby league with Cessnock Minor League for four years, and one season of cricket with West Maitland.
But - much to the surprise of many at the national futsal competition - he has never played soccer.
And he impressed the selectors enough to be chosen in the 20-player squad that will represent Australia in Spain next year.
Braiden said he was so excited that he cried when his mum Amye received the email informing them of his selection in the national squad.
"I am extremely lucky and happy to be going to represent Australia at my age and make even more friends and experience training with the Spain futsal coaches," he said.
Braiden said he enjoys playing futsal because he gets to make new friends, and he likes to play goalkeeper because "he's not scared of the ball".
Braiden has also been selected in the Macquarie Sharks/Northern NSW under-9s team to compete in the Futsal Youth League Competition at Windale PCYC and the Australian Futsal Association club national championships in January 2020.
He is seeking sponsorships or raffle prize donations to assist with his fundraising, and would like to thank everyone who has sponsored him so far.
Anyone who would like to help Braiden with sponsorship can call 0411 675 517 or email amye89@yahoo.com.au.