November 16, 2023
Two young South Burnett soccer players have just returned after taking part in a prestigious youth tournament in Singapore.
Chris Engelbrecht, from LS Talents in Gladstone, took 43 players from across Queensland to the tournament, which was played from November 4-11.
The Singacup Tournament is believed to be the biggest youth football tournament in Asia with up to 3000 players attending from across the world.
Cameron Stronge, 13, from Kingaroy, played with the LS Talents Under 14s against teams from India (def. 6-1), Indonesia (def. 2-1), Singapore ( def. 2-0) and Western Australia (def. 4-0).
Although they didn’t get past the first round, it was a huge experience for Cameron who scored his first international goal in a friendly against a South Australian team during the trip.
He was presented with an LS Talents’ Most Valuable Player award.
The second South Burnett player was Stuart Howlett, 14, from Kumbia, who played with the LS Talents Under 14s and Under 16s teams.
The Under 16s made it through to the second quarter-final after defeating teams from Nepal (5-0), Indonesia (3-1), Indonesia (3-1) but losing to an Australian team, Ashdale SC, 3-1.
In the quarter-final they were defeated by another Aussie team, Ocean Reef SHS, 3-2 in a very close game.
The Under 16s also played a friendly against a West Australian team while in Singapore.
Chris said Stuart’s performance during the tournament had been “phenomenal”, especially his ability to run with the ball.
Stuart received the LS Talent’s All Star Award.
Chris said he took young players overseas “for development and inspiration”.
“We don’t do it to win trophies because the competition is quite hard,” he said.
“In the 24 years that the SingaCup has been going, only one Australian team has ever won, Gold Coast United.”
The two young soccer players were recommended to LS Talents by Tracey Clegg, from SB Futsal, who had seen them in action.
