International Soccer Achievement
Today we farewell Year 12 Campion House Captain Ryley D'Sena. Ryley has been offered a 2 year contract to play football in Ireland with Larne FC.
Ryley has been playing football, or as many Australians refer to soccer, since he was 4 years old, playing for Nepean FC, Mt Druitt and the Marconi Stallions, at each club he developed his skills and an intense motivation to play professional football. Ryley also representated our College in PDSSSC competitions in football and Oztag.
In 2019 Ryley spent 6 weeks in England trialling with Oldham Athletic AFC and has been identified by his new club, Larne FC as an elite player. Ryley was contacted by his new club on the first day of his Trial HSC exams, just 2 weeks ago! Ryley took time to discern his offer, discuss with his family and jumped at the opportunity to follow his dreams of becoming a professional footballer. Ryley's preferred position is a centre back and defensive mid field player. He trains at least once a day and often twice a day, balancing school and sport commitments has meant he has had to be determined and organised to meet the demands of the HSC and build his fitness and skills. Ryley has always dreamed of the opportunity he has been offered so balancing these commitments , even during a global pandemic, has enabled him to "make the most of his opportunities".
Ryley has been a Xavier student since the first day of Year 7 and will miss his family, friends and school. He has always loved attending school and feels at home at Xavier College. The Australian weather and summer is another thing Ryley will miss but he hopes to be able to travel home in the off-season and play in the Australian competition and reconnect with family and friends. We look forward to watching you achieve great things.
In 2019 he had the opportunity to hike the Kokoda Trail and learnt of the hardships and sacrifices made by many Australians and Papuans in WW2 to secure our freedom. This experience taught him to "never take anything for granted in this life". Whilst in Ireland, Ryley will be staying with local families connected to Larne FC and his humble, honest, grounded and respectful qualities instilled in him by his family will see him quickly settle in and not take this opportunity for granted. Ryley will continue his education in Ireland as he completes tertiary education whilst with the club.
In 5 years time Ryley aims to be playing in England full time and also representing Australia. His advice for other students is "never give up! Use any failure to challenge yourself and improve, each failure you experience is one less failure until you succeed".
Ryley departs tonight for London and then onto Ireland to begin chasing his dreams of being a professional football player.We are so proud of Ryley and will be watching with eager anticipation as he continues to exceed his expectations.