Hello! My name is Junayd Vorajee. I am a 17-year-old goalkeeper from Lancashire with a dream to become the first British Indian professional goalkeeper.
Thank you for your interest in supporting me. My aim is to get to Dallas (USA) this Summer for the next stage in my professional goalkeeper development.
I have been offered a chance-of-a-lifetime invitation to the Michael Johnson Performance Center, for 6 months elite athletic and goalkeeper training, and work with the development team of FC Dallas of US Major League Soccer.
The Athletic and Goalkeeper Training Development program will involve:
About Michael Johnson Performance Training
MJP is the world’s number one sports performance center, with the best coaches and equipment for elite sports person development. The training is endorsed by Nike and covers injury protection, body dynamics and sport specific training.
Michael Johnson is the legend American athlete, 12 time Olympic and World Gold Medalist and World Record Holder. The center also works with Arsenal Football Club to help power and speed development of their youth players since 2012.
I have loved playing football since primary school, kicking a ball at every opportunity. I joined a local junior football team aged 9. I was what many would call an overweight kid, so goalkeeper became my position by default! Without any real coaching, I was doing well and enjoyed my role.
I went to a sports focused secondary school. Aged 14 and still a little ‘overweight’ I applied for the school academy, which required to do GCSE PE. I was playing well in junior leagues, but the sports coach didn’t believe I had the ‘right tools’ to do well in PE. I didn’t get on the course and not play as the academy goalkeeper.
I started dedicated goalkeeper training twice a week, focused on my body issues and training. I developed successfully to progress my playing level to represent my college academy team in the English Colleges FA League, and for a semi-professional club youth team in the FA North West Youth Alliance League.
In November 2014, I won the U18 category in the Search for an Asian Football Star at Wembley, a national competition to find talented footballers from the Asian communities, organised by a partner company of Derby County FC.
After four regional trials of over 500 players, I reached the final 32 as the only goalkeeper. I was chosen as the winner by judges including a Nike World Soccer Freestyle Champion, UEFA Qualified Academy Coach, Arsenal FC Development Team scout, and Pro Football Academy Director.
This led to professional club interest, including Leicester City FC Academy. I have attended four trials this year, with one successful outcome, and attending a further trial with Championship Division club Brentford this month.
However, knowing several players released by clubs, and statistics of 96% of academy players at 16 never play again at 18, or 98% of players signed pro at 18 never play again at 21, I wanted better routes of development for me.
After looking at USA Soccer opportunities last year, I went to an assessment trial which resulted in being invited to join the USA Soccer Scholarship program with the same organisation who manage the The Football League LFE program.
A visit from Michael Johnson to England and Arsenal Football Club training grounds last year led to the opening for athletic and soccer development programs for youth footballers. After successful discussions, the Director of Performance provided me with this opportunity.
I promise to work 100% every day for your trust in me. I have a chance that so far has been given to only two young footballers in the UK outside of the Arsenal FC partnership. My athletic and goalkeeping ability will develop to elite level and increase many times over my chances of becoming professional.
I am grateful for being offered such a great opportunity, and strongly believe the long term benefit for my professional goalkeeper development and dream is best achieved from being at Michael Johnson Performance and FC Dallas.
No words could describe what your support would mean and to reach my target. I receive no funding apart from my family who have helped as much as they can, so all contributions will help and make a huge difference.
Please help me to get there. Have a look at the 2 min video below about me. Not the best quality but hope you like it.
See how Michael Johnson Performance will help me become a pro goalkeeper by clicking here: https://youtu.be/efL2nS63XWk
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I am so grateful all the current fundraising efforts for me has helped me to get to Dallas. I will begin my performance training at MJP proper from next week, and am glad to say I have received a GK spot in the FC Dallas U19 Youth team after successful try outs with them. The facilties here are truly geared towards helping youth development.
I know I made the right choice and sacrifices to come here, and continue to need your support to help reach my target. Some additional soccer training costs have arisen due to try out success, so please continue to support my efforts. FC Dallas Youth standards are high, and training and performance levels in my next months here will certainly test and develop me
Thank you.
Junayd
“Dream Big Work Hard Be Humble”