Nicholas O’Sullivan started soccer, or as he prefers, “football, the most amazing game in the world” when he was five.

He breathes it, lives it and dreams about it.

The 14-year-old said he doesn’t play video games and would rather hang-out with friends and kick some balls.

“I love playing it because it is fun, you make lots of friends and you meet some amazing people,” Nicholas said.

He plays outdoors for the under-16 North Sydney United, and indoors for the Northern Tigers Futsal club, where he has been their captain for the past two seasons.

His coach, Elliot Jurd, said he was “an outstanding futsal player”.

Nick is this week’s nominee for the Northern District Times Junior Sports Award, sponsored by Rebel Sport and Event Cinemas.

“Nick is a true professional and has been a key contributor in helping his teams to make it in to the semi-finals,” Mr Jurd said.

He has received the Northern Tigers’ team golden boot, club golden boot and the coaches awards and was named best and fairest.

“He is definitely among the elite handful of players for his age group in this country,” Mr Jurd said.

His mother, Sharon O’Sullivan, said although the family underwent a difficult time three days after the birth of Nicholas’s youngest sister, Katie, 23 months, he was a supportive and a great boy.

“She was in hospital for five months, with liver failure, and with the stress of the family, to be where he is now, was an incredible achievement,” Mrs O’Sullivan said.

Nicholas, who attends the AC Milan Academy in Sydney, has just returned from Italy after playing in the Monte Catini tournament.

He said his idols included Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard and he would love to go back to Italy again.

“They are amazing over there and very good at what they do,” he said.

“I would love to play in Italy or Spain one day.”

He has been representing NSW in the Australian Futsal Championships for the past three seasons.