Fifteen year old Michael West is embracing the opportunity of a lifetime after scouts from German football team Energie Cottbus offered him the chance to study, train and play in Germany.

Michael was scouted during his recent trip to the country while playing in several Australia versus Germany tournaments. He was one of three Australians from a touring group of 31 players to be selected by the German team.

Michael, who has been playing for seven years, said, “It’s a big achievement, even for me. It’s been a dream ever since I started playing soccer and it’s a big step towards my goal.”

He said that the opportunity has given him mixed emotions - he is ecstatic about being selected, but sad that he will be leaving his family and friends based in Tenterfield. He has already started to prepare to leave with his departure scheduled for late July. Michael will train and study in Germany until Christmas and then will be able to return home.

“I’m a bit nervous, I’ve never really had that much on my plate to do,” Michael said.

“Dad is setting up a training program for me to follow.”

Michael’s parents David and Sheena West are very proud of their son’s achievement but know that there are sacrifices to be made. Michael will have to follow strict rules from the football club, adhere to curfews and stop a favourite past time eating junk food.

“It’s a life kids dream of, though he has to make many sacrifices,” Mr West said.

“It is very good for Tenterfield. It shows any kid in Tenterfield how far they can go and that some things in life are achievable.”

Mr West described the position with the German football club as an apprenticeship. He said that Michael would train every day with classroom activities including the discussion of football tactics.

“The Germans are world famous for producing footballers that make the top 10 in the world,” Mr West said.

“We’re quite happy for him to go and live in Germany. Germans are good people and they have a high standard of living.

“Hopefully he’s the first of three,” Mr West said referring to Michael’s brothers playing representative football.

Michael’s placement will be for an initial six months. After that period of time his position with the club will be reviewed and there could be an opportunity for him to stay on for another 12 months.

“I’ll keep my head down and do my best there. I’ll work up and up and up hopefully they’ll give me a contract,” Michael said.

“This is what I worked towards,” Mr West said.

“I started training them at seven. It’s always been my aim but I kept it to myself. You do need luck though, that plays an important role. You never know when scouts are watching you.”

Another person responsible for this opportunity was Michael’s coach Heinrich Haussleur who took his team over to Germany. Rale Rasic, who coached the Socceroos to the World Cup in 1974 accompanied, guided and mentored the Australian boys in Germany.

The trip gave Michael a taste of the standard he will be up against when he trains with and competes against German players.

“The German standard was very high. They’re fast, physical and very technical,” Michael said.

“We played in seven different tournaments. The teams we played were all my age.”

The tournaments were much harder than those in which Michael had played previously. He said they were 25 minute games whereas here they are split into 10 minute halves.

“They are a lot more intense, you couldn’t sit on the ball,” Michael said.

“We were able to visit the stadium where the world cup final was played. We had a tour of the VIP lounge, dressing rooms and press conference areas.”

Michael is packing his essentials for the next six months in Germany. He is taking his soccer boots, a picture of his family and his dog Max but admitted he does not have any lucky charms.

If all goes to plan the next six months in Germany will lead to a career for Michael playing football in the German Bundesliga tournaments. He plans to work and train hard drawing on inspiration from his hero David Beckham.