Melbourne Victory midfielder Leigh Broxham has capped off an impressive start to 2009/10, earning the September nomination for the inaugural NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award.
Melbourne Victory midfielder Leigh Broxham has capped off an impressive start to 2009/10, earning the September nomination for the inaugural NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award.
Broxham, who has started in all eight matches this season, was selected as the Hyundai A-League’s most impressive under-21 player for September by a panel of experts, including Qantas Young Socceroos Head Coach Jan Versliejen.
The hardy youngster was promoted from his role as Football Team Assistant to Melbourne Victory’s senior side in early 2007 and featured in the club’s first Grand Final win later that year.
His meteoric rise continued in 2008 when he made his senior international debut for Australia in a friendly against Singapore and was a standby player for the Olyroos at the Beijing Olympic Games.
After being restricted to only 127 minutes in 2008/09, Broxham has firmly established himself in Melbourne Victory’s midfield this season, most notably with an impressive 90-minute performance against Adelaide United in Round 7.
“Leigh is a great prospect who’s had a fantastic start to the season,” Melbourne Victory Coach Ernie Merrick said.
“He’s only 21 and continues to grow and develop both defensively and offensively, and is going to be a great all-round player.”
Broxham is the second of six nominees that will vie for the inaugural NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award at the conclusion of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season.
The overall winner will receive the NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award, a $10,000 personal investment portfolio and a NAB Private Client Manager to assist with a range of banking and financial services.
Broxham’s nominated junior club Knox City Soccer Club will also receive $3000 worth of football equipment from NAB as a result of his nomination.
