Arnezha’ Astwood can hardly wait to showcase his budding football talents at the 10th High School All-American Game in St Louis, Missouri, this summer.

The Northwood School central defender has been named among a 23-strong East Boys squad that will lock horns with the West Boys in the annual classic on May 29.

“I am very honoured to be named among the best in the United States,” Astwood, 19, said. “I’m very excited and can’t wait for the game.”

The PHC and Bermuda Under-20 player earned All-American accolades for the first time for his outstanding exploits playing varsity football in New York last season, which was cut short because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He is joined on the Northwood squad in Lake Placid by fellow Bermudian Jalen Commissiong, a right back.

Astwood’s goal is to play professional football and he is being well groomed for that level as a student-athlete of his school’s partnership with Black Rock FC, which led to the creation of the first residential football academy in the north-east region of the United States.

Those selected for the BRFC Residential Academy attend Northwood and participate in daily football-related activities throughout the academic year from August to June.

During the autumn season, student-athletes play against high-level prep and high school teams as well as top domestic and international clubs during the winter and spring.

They also travel to elite showcase events and tournaments across the US throughout the year.

Unfortunately for Astwood, he was denied the opportunity to appear in front of scouts at two premier Player Showcase events last year as a result of the pandemic.

“We got sent home early because of Covid, so it actually messed up a couple of Player Showcases,” he said. “We were supposed to go to Las Vegas and Dallas.”

In the short term, Astwood hopes to secure a college scholarship while continuing to improve as a footballer in pursuit of a professional career.