FORMER La Salle College student Joshua Harvey is pitching a career as a professional sportsman after a talent scout spotted his ability on the field.
The baseball player (18), of Greenmount, is jetting off to New York later this month to join the Cannoneers team at Jefferson Community College in Watertown.
He attended try-outs early last year and achieved two college offers after Melbourne-based scouting company NSR Australia placed him on its books.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWJoshua plays for the Swan Districts Baseball Club and in 2013 toured China as a member of the Western Allstars U-15s team.
He most recently represented the State in the WA Heat 18s team, competing at the Australian Championships in January.
His preferred positions are outfield, shortstop and pitcher, having grown up playing the ‘diamond sports’ of T-ball and softball from the age of five with his family.
Joshua said he was excited to receive two college offers from the US. The second came from a Midwestern college in Missouri.
“When the first offer came in, it was good knowing someone wanted me,” Joshua said.
“When the second offer arrived a few weeks later from Jefferson, it felt like all the hard work paid off.”
Joshua’s ability in sport showed at an early age.
He previously won the senior specialist award for physical education in Year 6 at Greenmount Primary School before attending La Salle College, where he was a House Captain in Year 12.
His course in physical education and sports management begins in two weeks at Jefferson Community College, a campus of the State University of New York.
As well as baseball, Joshua plays State League soccer with Swan United Football Club.
He is a registered swimming teacher and works for the WA Department of Education and the City of Swan.