Jaylan Pearman – remember the name.
Why?
Because Glory legend Steven McGarry regards the 14-year-old midfielder as a rare and precocious talent with an extremely bright future in the game.
In his current role as the PGFC Academy Technical Director, McGarry has shown just how highly he rates Pearman by elevating him into his Under-18s squad and he’s been delighted with the way the youngster has responded.
“Watching and observing Jaylan over the last couple of years,” he said, “he’s a kid who really excites me when he plays.
“He’s only just turned 14, but we feel it’s the right thing for him and his development to be exposed to new challenges as part of the Under-18s squad.
“He’s made a seamless transition into the 18s group and the level of his performances has been outstanding.”
Pearman himself, meanwhile, is determined to make the most of his opportunity.
“The pace of the game [at Under-18s level] is a lot quicker and it’s a lot more physical than what I’ve been used to playing in,” he said.
“I feel like I’ve done ok, though.
“Steven has encouraged me to get on the ball and do what I do.
“My targets are just to keep on playing well and become a better player.”
Since he was first introduced into the Glory system at the age of ten, Pearman has worked tirelessly to hone his skills, showing the kind of dedication synonymous with the man he lists as his football idol.
“I like taking players on, playing long balls in behind and I’m good at striking the ball as well,” he said.
“I model my game on David Beckham.”
The Under-18s squad, of which Pearman is now a part, have enjoyed a stellar start to the NPL WA campaign, winning each of their three games thus far and McGarry has been extremely pleased with their performances.
“It’s quite a young squad,” he explained, “half of them are 2005-born players and most of the teams they’ve been playing against are mainly made up of 17 and 18-year-olds.
“So they’re coming up against different challenges every week and have made a bright start.
“It’s been really good for the boys’ football education playing against different formations and different types of game-styles.
“They really haven’t missed a beat since football restarted.”
At a personal level, McGarry is relishing working with this latest crop of talented young players and revealed that a number of them are in the mix for international honours.
“I’m basically that first step from junior to senior football for them,” he said, “which means I have to prepare them for that step into the senior age groups.
“Last year we won things and this year we’ve got off to a good start, but success for me is making sure that they are improving every single day.
“Then, can they go and fight for a place in Terry McFlynn’s squad [Under-20s] or Richard Garcia’s squad [First Team]?
“In terms of age, there is no barrier and that’s how the likes of Jaylan have been given their opportunities.
“It bodes really well for the club that these exciting youngsters are coming through and it’s a testament to their potential that the Head Coach of the National Under-16s and Under-17s teams, Trevor Morgan, has confirmed that he’s closely monitoring a number of our players.”
#OneGlory
