CAPALABA Bulldogs player Kody Keogh has been selected in the under 13 Queensland futsal team to tour Sydney in January.
The 12-year-old Carmel College student began playing outdoor soccer when he was seven before branching out into the futsal arena three years later.
He continues to play both formats and now has his sights set on selection in the Australian futsal team where he could travel to places like the United Kingdom and Italy.
Kody said his selection came as a surprise given his futsal career began just two years ago.
"I was pretty excited," he said. "I did not think I'd get selected but I was really happy when I did."
Kody's training schedule resembles that of a professional player, with strength and conditioning sessions and academy training headlining his weekly program.
His mother Nicole Keogh said it was this work ethic that earned him selection in the Queensland side.
"Kody was initially selected from the school futsal competition earlier in the year to trial for the district team," she said.
"After making the district team and playing with South Brisbane, he was selected to come and trial for the state futsal squad.
"He was so excited to be selected to trial that he really ramped up his training and set his sights on getting a selection. He is over the moon to be given this opportunity."
Kody said his next goal was to make the Australian side where he would have the opportunity to travel the world.
His father Will Keogh said the Australian team presented Kody with a range of opportunities.
"With the Australian squad, you can travel all over the world," he said.
"You can go to the UK, Italy, Chile - it's a big thing once you make the Australian squad. It opens up a lot of avenues."
Mrs Keogh said the Capalaba Bulldogs had played a significant role in Kody's development.
"He has been fortunate enough to have been coached by some amazing coaching staff who have been able to bring out his confidence and help him to develop his skills and ability," she said.
"The support from the upper level coaching staff has been really valuable and it is Kody's goal to be able to play for the senior team one day."
Kody is running a raffle to help fund his trip to Sydney in January.
