Sackville Street Public School student and talented football player Roman Starr has lofty ambitions in the global game.

The 12-year-old is not only the school captain, but also plays for the Macarthur Bulls in the National Premier League as both a striker and left back. One day, he hopes to play for his beloved Manchester United.

Earlier this year, Roman was selected as one of 12 players to represent the NSW Cityroos U12s team to play in two prestigious international football tournaments; the Vogido and ATC’65 Top, in the Netherlands this month.

The team will compete against Europe’s elite U12 boys from academy teams from Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Ajax, PSV, Club Brugge and Royal Antwerp, among others.

Roman is a natural left footer who started playing football aged four. He said he hoped to win a few games, score a few goals and maybe even receive an invitation to trial with a European club.

The Cityroos selection team said Roman had an unwavering passion for football (soccer) and his advanced skills on the pitch helped cement his place in the 2024 NSW squad. 

“Roman plays a vital role in aiding attacking players, scoring in high pressure situations while also having the ability to change the course of the game with a single pass,” the selection committee said.

Playing striker for his Macarthur Bulls team, last year, he had his most prolific season to date in front of goals.

“Last season I scored 27 goals in 24 games playing striker and left wing,” he said.

“But this year I’m playing left back. My coach wants me to work on my control on the ball.”

Roman believes he will likely play at left back for the Cityroos, however, his mother, Linda, said in a tournament where games are only 20 minutes long, with nine players on the field, the coach wanted players who could do it all, shoot, attack and defend.

“In the past, they’ve selected kids within the competition to potentially trial with some of these larger academy clubs; that’s what we’re hoping for,” Ms Starr said.

Sackville St Public School Assistant Principal, Lee Purvis, said Roman was a talented young sportsman.

“I’ve had a bit to do with Roman over the years. I was his classroom teacher about three years ago,” he said.

“We’ve always known he is very talented in the sporting fields. He's been a part of our soccer teams the last few years, as well as represented at cross country and athletics at zone and regional levels.

“I know a lot of his classmates are very excited. Mr Jackson, his classroom teacher, he’s a massive soccer fan, so I think he’s a little bit jealous as well, but he’ll be following his journey closely.”