When Coffs Harbour young gun Logan Sambrook received the call-up to the youth national team he was in total disbelief.
"It was pretty amazing. It didn't feel real at all. I was really happy," Sambrook said.
"I was in class at school when I got the call. I didn't tell anyone right away.
"My parents were also super happy. Super shocked."
The North Coast Football under-16s striker was selected for the Subway Joeys PacificAus Sports Football Tour against the Soloman Islands and Vanuatu under-19s teams after his outstanding performance at the National Youth Championships for Boys in July caught the eyes of selectors.
Sambrook said that although he was pleased with his efforts at NYC he could never have imagined it would lead to a call up to represent his country.
"I was always confident that I played well at nationals but that was a really high goal for me. I didn't expect it but I was so happy to find out that I made it off my performance at nationals," Sambrook said.
"I am super grateful that I was able to get selected into the nationals [squad] for Northern NSW Football which led to the Joeys selection."
Sambrook said that there were many positives to take away from the tour but nothing could beat him scoring his first international goal in the Joeys' 3-3 draw against Vanuatu.
"It was such an honour to wear the jersey. It has always been a dream for me as a kid to wear the green and gold," Sambrook said.
"It was so good to step out on the pitch and sing the national anthem. It was an amazing experience.
"Everything about the tour was amazing. The coaching, the players, the professionalism and everyone was really welcoming.
"It was a very good environment. It was so nice to play with the best in Australia and experience how they go about things. The other boys' influence on me was really big.
"It was such a good battle. The other teams were a lot stronger in some aspects especially physically.
"The highlight was scoring the goal. It didn't feel real, it felt like a movie and it happened so quick. But that feeling lasted for ages after the game, it was such a good feeling.
"I knew where the ball needed to go and when I struck it, it felt nice off the boot and I was like 'yes'. I was so relieved."
But the striker said that with all the highs of his first tour, he still had to overcome challenges along the way.
"The hardest part was controlling my nerves, confidence and keeping my heart rate down," Sambrook said.
"I was trying not to be nervous because when you play with nerves, you tend to make some mistakes. I had to try and get in there, get some good first touches in, set the tone well and keep the standards high from there. It was one of my biggest challenges."
Sambrook said that he hoped his selection demonstrated to aspiring regional footballers that it was possible to achieve their goals and believed that this was just the start of his football journey.
"It was such an honour to represent everyone back home," Sambrook said.
"It is a good feeling to show people that they can make it from a regional area and knowing that it really is possible if they put the hard work and dedication in.
"There is a bit of relief but I still want more. This is where it starts.
"Making the Joeys was one of my goals but I have some long-term goals that I want to achieve. But I am trying to stick to day by day and play along as it goes on."
