A 15-year-old from Tuggeranong is following in the footsteps of Socceroos Tom Rogic and Carl Valeri after Daunte Cervo forced his way into the club's Canberra premier league side.
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Cervo, a former Monaro Panthers junior, was simply looking for an opportunity to train with Tuggeranong's first grade side when head coach Mitch Stevens identified the teenager as football's next big thing.
Cervo has since started in every match for the club's under-20s side and earned his first grade debut against Gungahlin United last week.
Despite his age and small size, the teenage prodigy already sees himself as a senior player.
![Tuggeranong United youngsters Ben Carling, Daunte Cervo and Harrison Buesnel train with first grade side at AIS Synthetic. Picture: Supplied. Tuggeranong United youngsters Ben Carling, Daunte Cervo and Harrison Buesnel train with first grade side at AIS Synthetic. Picture: Supplied.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc756oeo2tnohgbg32ef2.jpg/r284_371_4912_3209_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"I came in head high because it was a big moment for me to make my first grade debut at such a young age," Cervo said.
"I wasn't expecting to move up so fast, it all happened so quickly. It was a real shock when Mitch [Stevens] asked me to train with them during last year for the preseason.
"I find myself rising up to the occasion. There's been a few times when I've come in a bit scared but that's just nerves and all."
Stevens says Cervo is an untapped talent with huge potential, but admits the club need to tread carefully while he physically and mentally matures.
"He has the world at his feet, he really does have an awful amount of potential," Stevens said.
"While technically he's fantastic, we do need to protect him. He must be a very gradual process.
"But we believe that giving him the opportunity at such an early age, we're giving him the best chance of making something of it."
Tuggeranong's youth pathways program has produced some wonderful prodigies including Rogic and Valeri.
Cervo didn't hesitate to leave his junior club knowing there was an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the highly decorated footballers.
"It's actually quite an honour to be playing at their junior club and be heading down the same path as them," Cervo said.
"I want to drive myself from Canberra to become a professional footballer. I'd love to play Serie A or in the Premier League."
Cervo is highly likely to start on the bench when Tuggeranong United take on second place Canberra Olympic on Sunday afternoon.
Coach Stevens says Tuggeranong will have to pull of a miracle against the undefeated Olympic side, who he believes are the best team of the competition.
"They've got the most variety in their build up play, they've got the best strike force in Stephen Domenici and a strong back line," Stevens said.
"We certainly have to be aware of these strengths. They have an extremely wonderful side and you have to be very good to get a result out of them.
"If we can exploit those moments then we can cause some trouble, but it has to be executed well because they're an in form side."
NPL ROUND FOUR
Saturday: Woden-Weston v Tigers, 3pm at Melrose Synthetic.
Sunday: Gungahlin United v Monaro Panthers, 3pm at AIS Grass Field. Canberra v Belconnen United, 3pm at Deakin Stadium. Tuggeranong United v Canberra Olympic, 3pm at Kambah 201.
Bye: Riverina Rhinos.