KELSO High School student and Bathurst ’75 striker James Christie has taken his representative soccer career to the next level after being selected in the NSW Combined High Schools team.

Christie represented Western at a recent state carnival in Sydney two weeks ago and put in an eye-catching display as his side finished fifth among the 10 competing.

He managed to slot four goals throughout the carnival, which was more than enough to see him selected for the CHS team.

The next step in the process will be a number of weekly training sessions, to be held at Parklea in Sydney every Wednesday, before they compete against a Combined Independent Schools team and a Combined Catholic Colleges side.

The three teams will compete in a round robin event in late July, from where a state squad will be selected.

“I was really happy to get picked – I didn’t expect it at all,” Christie said.

“I played pretty well and scored the four goals – the team were great and did a good job to finish fifth.”

The Year 11 student has become a key member of Mark Rooke’s ’75 side in their Conference League North campaign.

’75 currently sits fourth following Saturday’s wash-out and Christie provided a highlight when he nailed a second-half hat-trick in their 9-1 win over Penang three rounds back.

He has also been a prolific scorer for the lower grade side when he has had the opportunity.

With 11 years of soccer behind him and given his recent explosion of form, Christie has set his sights a little bit higher than where they were when he first played for Western.

“After getting picked for CHS, I’m definitely aiming for a spot in the state squad,” Christie said.