North Queensland Fury’s Payne wins August Young Player nomination

North Queensland Fury striker has won the August nomination for the NAB A-League Young Player of the Year.

The former Sydney FC young gun was the most outstanding player under the age of 21 for the month of August as judged by a panel of experts.

Payne starred for the Fury, scoring two goals and providing three assists as his side managed a win, two draws and a loss from their opening four games.

Payne is the first nominated player to be announced and will be joined in future weeks by six other U21 players to qualify to be named the NAB Young Footballer of the Year at the Hyundai A-League Awards.

The overall winner will receive a $10,000 personal investment portfolio, a NAB Private Client Manager to assist with a range of banking and financial services, and the inaugural NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award.

To acknowledge the vital role junior football clubs play in the development of today’s young stars as they strive to reach their potential, NAB will also present a $3,000 equipment pack to Chris Payne’s nominated junior club, Umina United Football Club (Central Coast Association).