BRAZILIAN Football Academy Hereford youngster Matthew Davies has gained national recognition.
The 14-year-old from Bromyard has been selected for the International Confederation of Futebol de Salao (ICFDS) national under-15 squad.
Davies' selection comes after the best players from Brazilian Soccer Schools across the country were invited to attend performance camps at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and at the ICFDS national training headquarters in Leeds.
Both events featured two days of intense coaching, sports science, technical assessment and game play.
The national squads, at under-15 and under-16 level, will represent the ICFDS in international tournaments and against professional clubs' academies.
"Matt's selection puts Hereford on the map and he deserves this recognition through his hard work and determination," said Sean Dipple, head coach of the Brazilian Soccer Schools in Herefordshire. "He has trained with us in the Brazilian way for two and a half years at our centre in Leominster and this opportunity is a target for all our players and an excellent chance to progress at a higher level.
Dipple refereed the trial matches at the Millennium Stadium and said: "It was an unbelievable experience to referee in the stadium and a pinnacle in my refereeing career."
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