Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

Darby - File

"It's an opportunity of a lifetime," says Waterford High's central defender, 18-year-old André Darby, of his call-up to the national senior squad.

Darby, who also plays for Super League team, Naggo Head, has had dreams of representing the national football team since he was seven years old.

Selected for training

A pathway to his dream was recently realised when he was selected by technical director René Simoes to join a 24-man squad which began training at a camp which started on Monday and runs through to Friday.

From the training camp, nine local-based players will be chosen to join the over-seas-based players for the Reggae Boyz's match against Costa Rica at the National Stadium on Ash Wednesday, February 6.

As the youngest of nine first-timers called to the squad, Darby is confident that he will be given the opportunity to prove himself.

'Great experience

"It's a great experience at a young age to be called to join the training squad for the national team. I'm now in training and I am doing my best, hoping that I will get the chance to make my debut," he said.

Influenced by one of the finest defenders in world football, Rio Ferdinand of United Kingdom-based Premiership club, Man-chester United, Darby desires to play football in Europe and is hoping to play for his mentor's team as well.

"He is cool, calm and collected and knows how to pace his game. He is an incredible reader of the game. He reminds me of myself," he said.