Belconnen berth next English Premier League star in goalie Jacob Quinn

Quinn, who plays in Belconnen United's under 20s side, had been travelling back and forth from his native England in search of an opportunity to further his soccer career.

The goalkeeper trialed with Bury FC and Sutton United in January but returned home with no outcome. For some time it seemed as though he would need to continue plying his trade for Belconnen and search for another chance.

But he was "always believing" in his ability before Sutton recently came through with an offer to play in their National League side - the fifth tier of English soccer.

"I can't let this slip because I know that not many people in Canberra have this opportunity that I've got to go over to England and have a pathway to professional football," Quinn said.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity and I have to take it with both hands and grab it."

The chance of a lifetime may never have come to fruition if not for a young Quinn's decision to take a gamble on life between the posts.

Quinn first donned the gloves six years ago when his team's goalkeeper got injured during the Kanga Cup and he has never looked back.

The then-11-year-old was swiftly accepted into the Paul Jones Goalkeeping Academy and went on to represent the ACT at numerous national championships.

But it wasn't until he pulled on the gloves at the National Training Centre Challenge that he started to think big as a professional.

Belconnen coach Steve Foreshaw said it was only a matter of time before Quinn left Canberra in search of something bigger.

"He absolutely has tremendous potential," Forshaw said.

"He's the perfect physique for a goalkeeper and has a lot of ability to go with that. He's a shot stopper.

"At 17 years old he's still learning his trade as a keeper but he's got everything going for him. We're delighted for the opportunity he's got."

Quinn will start on the bench for Belconnen's under 20s when they take on Canberra Olympic at O'Connor Enclosed Oval on Sunday afternoon.

It looms as a massive chance for Quinn to build on a superb start to the season in which Belconnen have conceded just four goals - the best return in the under 20s competition.

Meanwhile, the club's premier league side will be looking to ride a wave of momentum having claimed four points from their last two games against Gungahlin and Canberra FC.

But this weekend's clash with a second-placed Canberra Olympic outfit desperate to bounce back from defeat will be a major test for Forshaw's men.

Forshaw believes the competition heavyweight's shock defeat to the Monaro Panthers last week will only make them more dangerous in the battle of two top four sides.

"We're in pretty good form but Olympic are a very strong outfit," Forshaw said.

"I'm expecting a fairly tight game and if we play well enough we can win but if we don't turn up with our a-game then we'll struggle. You have to be on your best game to beat them."

Olympic will be bolstered by the return of Stephen Domenici from suspension however question marks hover over the fitness of key duo Kofi Danning and Tim Bobolas ahead of a top four clash.

CANBERRA PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND SIX

Saturday: Riverina Rhinos v Canberra, 3pm at Griffith Stadium. Woden-Weston v Gungahlin, 4.30pm Melrose Synthetic (Pearce 2). Monaro Panthers v Tuggeranong United, 5.30pm at Riverside Stadium.

Sunday: Canberra Olympic v Belconnen United, 3pm at O'Connor Enclosed.

Bye: Cooma Tigers