It’s been at least half a decade since the Whitsundays has had a footballing prodigy, but young local soccer player Kai Draper is looking the part with his selection in the schoolboys North Queensland side.
The 12-year-old Whitsunday United Football Club player is the first from the region to be selected for the team in five years or more.
At Whitsunday trials played in Ayr in late May, the Proserpine born and bred youngster impressed selectors enough to nab his spot after five games against teams from Townsville, Burdekin, Charters Towers, and Herbert River.
He was one of 90 boys at the trials.
A midfielder by trade, Kai has played the sport “since he could walk” and has always had a love for the world game.
He played at Airlie Beach Football Club in his formative years before graduating to Whitsunday United, and also trains with the Magpies Crusaders United Academy Under 12 team twice a week.
The St. Catherine’s Catholic College student will pull on the North Queensland kit when he heads to Brisbane in July for the State Championships.
“My friends were really supportive when I made the team – but maybe they were a bit jealous,” Kai laughed.
“I was so excited to get through this year and for me the goal is to make the Queensland team by performing well in Brisbane.”
Kai’s family has a pedigree in the footballing world: mum is an avid women’s footballer at Whitsunday United, Dad played at the club in yesteryears, and his grandad made an appearance for England Under 17s.
Whitsunday United Football Club President Peter Farrell said it was excellent that the club has helped produce a North Queensland representative footballer for the first time in years.
“We’re very proud and it really highlights our club’s growing ability to coach potential young superstars,” Mr Farrell said.
“What I really want to say to all young players is: make sure you have the right attitude. That will take you very far in both football and life.
“Well done, Kai.”
Kai Draper is the first Whitsunday soccer player to make the North Queensland side in recent memory
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