FOOTBALL
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Mason Versi came to the Illawarra hoping to boost his young career and the Dapto Dandaloo Fury youngster has been rewarded for his breakout season with a spot in the Central Coast Mariners youth squad for next season.
The 16-year-old joined the Fury in the off-season from Sutherland Sharks and has since made several appearances with the Illawarra Premier League powerhouse's first-grade eleven.
The performances proved enough to encourage coach Norm Boardman to put Versi's name down for a trial on the Central Coast, from which he was selected into the club's youth grade squad.
Versi joins former Dapto Dandaloo and Wolves' striker Josh Bingham at the club.
He said the move came as a massive shock.
"It was a bit of a weird feeling I guess because I didn't really expect to get in the youth team," Versi said.
Versi, from Sutherland, was encouraged to come down to the Fury to develop his game against more senior opponents by Boardman early this year.
The gaffer has since used his young star in several games in the top grade and was rewarded when Versi scored the winner for the Fury in a dramatic 2-1 victory over Cringila Lions a fortnight ago.
"Norm and Thommo [Youth coach Craig Thompson] are really good and help me out a lot. I am very thankful for Norm putting my name down to go trial at the Central Coast and for letting me play in the first grade team a few times," Versi said.