One of Canberra's brightest young talents says the absence of an A-League team in the city will make his dream of stepping up to the professional ranks even sweeter.
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Imposing central defender George Timotheou hopes to catch the eye of A-League coaches when he lines up for the AIS in the National Youth League, kicking off with Saturday's season opener at home against the Newcastle Jets.
Timotheou, 16, has another five months on his scholarship with the AIS after joining the elite academy at the start of the year.
The youth league is the perfect chance for him to showcase his skills against the best under-20 players in the country and those on the brink of A-League selection.
Timotheou knows strong performances in the NYL are his best chance of pushing his claim for higher honours.
''Getting an A-League contract is my ultimate goal at the end of the season because, as a Canberra boy, it's hard not having a club to go back to,'' Timotheou said. ''For me, it's a little bit harder than everyone else and it makes me a little bit more hungry. I'm going to try everything I can to make it, I believe I'll be good enough and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens.''
The year 10 student is a Gungahlin United junior. He also spent time in the youth system of Canberra Olympic before being spotted by the AIS.
The AIS has been a production line for players entering the A-League.
Sydney FC's Marc Warren, Scott Galloway at Melbourne Victory and Eli Babalj, who went to Europe after a standout season with Melbourne Heart, are among those to further their careers.
Timotheou has the advantage of picking the brain of former Socceroos defender Tony Vidmar, who is the Australian under-17s coach and the head coach of the AIS program.
Vidmar, who made 76 appearances for the national team during stints with Scottish giants Rangers, English club Middlesbrough and Welsh outfit Cardiff City, said Timotheou had plenty of potential.
''The first three to four months took him a bit of time to get in, but we've seen enough qualities to know he will develop,'' Vidmar said. ''Overall he's a good kid, he wants to learn and he wants to improve his game and that's all we ask of them.
''Now he just needs to produce that in a game.''
■ SATURDAY
National Youth League, round one - AIS v Newcastle Jets at the AIS grassfields 2, 3pm.