At RFI we take pride in seeing our players go on to bigger and better things, achieving beyond expectations. Above all, because we believe that the path laid out by them can be followed by the next generation of RFI players.

WHO IS NOAH?

Noah was an RFI member for 3-4 years and, like many of our players (including his brothers), he was a part of successful teams who excelled in the Melbourne football scene. Coaches praised him for being a hard-working and persistent midfielder with a capacity to play simple and arrive into scoring positions. Above all, he was always eager to learn and improve, constantly displaying a modellic attitude.

HOW IT STARTED

In January 2019, the Ryan family was visiting family in Europe and decided to see some of Spain. In doing so, they reached out to Carlos, living in Madrid, to find out if the boys could experience what it was like to be a player in Spain by doing some training at local clubs. With Noah it was decided that this would have more value if it was in a higher-level club. Albacete Balompie, a traditional professional club with many years in the Spanish top flight leagues, was the best option and Noah spent 3 weeks there training with the academy team of his age group. It was difficult at first, with the language barrier and the difference in level, as Noah said himself:

“Training with Elite Spanish kids was challenging to begin with, as they are so much more tactical and technical than we are in Australia.”

Knowing that it was just a learning experience, both Noah’s parents and Carlos were gladly surprised when the Albacete Academy Director called to say that if Noah decided to stay, they would happily sign him*. Noah was being recognised for his skills, mentality and attitude, and Albacete was offering a full scholarship.

DID YOU KNOW…?

Albacete Balompié it is also FC Barcelona legend, Andres Iniesta’s childhood club.

SIGNING FOR A SPANISH CLUB

After careful thinking (it’s not easy to see one’s 14-year-old son move to the other side of the world on his own), Noah moved to Albacete in August 2019, at the start of the Spanish season, to live with a host family and study in a local school. He trained 4 nights a week and was duly registered to play for the academy.

After an adaptation period, Noah became a regular starter in the team and featured in every game in the season. He was renewed (though 6 local players weren’t) and considered to be an important part of the squad. He now was totally integrated, school had gotten much better after a difficult start, and Noah was speaking Spanish like any other kid!

Carlos, who has coached in South America, Australia and Spain, explains:

“The important thing to note with Noah’s recruitment by a Spanish Club, is that it is a full scholarship. They have committed to invest in him. Most Australian kids training with European clubs are paying for the privilege. It isn’t difficult to do, if the families can afford it and there are plenty of unscrupulous, so called agents, selling football dreams to uninformed Australian parents. FIFA has implemented clear child protection regulations, preventing European clubs from recruiting kids from outside of Europe. Albacete enjoys a unique loophole, because of its location and population density.”

HOW IT IS GOING NOW

Then COVID came. Competitions and training were stopped, like anywhere else in the world. At Albacete, training was done via zoom meetings in a professional way, but it wasn’t enough. Noah had to return to Melbourne in mid 2021 against the club's wishes and his own.

But when one door closes, another opens. Noah got a call from Melbourne City and has since joined their academy, playing again alongside former teammates from his RFI days.

Regardless of where his football journey will take Noah next, we are delighted to see his progress and to have seen him make such bold moves. It speaks volumes of his character and mentality, being brave and smart to face new challenges, including deciding to move away from his family at age 14 and adapting to a whole new culture and language.

For these reasons and many more, Noah is in our opinion a model for our younger generations to follow. His determination, initiative and resilience, persisting through any form of adversity, are traits that we desire for all our players.

DID YOU KNOW?

How was it possible for Albacete to sign Noah, with FIFA regulation preventing the international transfer of players under 18? Albacete benefits from a different regional regulation which trumps FIFA law and states that all children who are enrolled in a local school have the right to play any sport of their choice, no matter where they are from. This information about FIFA law and its application around Europe is never shared in the Australian context, which is something RFI seeks to change for its stakeholders.