So when Shoalhaven Heads' Brendan Low was named to start for the Wollongong Wolves in their FFA Cup clash with Coledale on Wednesday, he was over the moon.

But the 18-year-old will be the first to admit that game against Coledale at Ian McLennan Park, in which the Wolves won 11-nil, had been something he had worked for his whole career.

Low first started playing football at the Shoalhaven Heads- Berry Sharks at the age of four, before eventually joining Southern Branch.

But by the age of 14, after a stint with the NSW Country team, the now Bomaderry High School captain decided to take his talents north to the Wollongong Wolves, after a successful trial with the club.

"Training with the Wolves has definitely helped me take my game to the next level, as it still amazes me how professional the whole club is - especially now that I'm training with the first grade boys," Low said.

"They really emphasises the importance of training all facets of your game, from the mental side to the physical side - it's forced me in a way to get to that level."

Then after four years of being in their system, in which he was played with both the under 18s and under 20s teams, he finally got the call up to be part of the first grade group.

"I can remember rocking up to training last Friday, the same as any week, to train with the 20s but coach Luke Wilshere asked me to join the first grade group - which I was really stoked about," Low said.

"Then just when I was about to head home, Luke told me I was going to be sitting on the bench for the team's NPL (National Premier League) game against Sutherland (at Seymour Shaw).

"I couldn't believe it when Luke told me - I was totally in shock and a bit emotional.

"It [being in first grade] had been a goal I had been working towards for a long time and to have it come to fruition like that was incredible."

Although Low didn't take the field on that day, he learnt plenty from just being in the change rooms with the squad.

"Just being around them really showed the standard I need to be at if I want to play at this level consistently in the future," he said.

"Getting that taste of being around the boys really drove me to finally getting that debut."

Thankfully for Low, he only had to wait four days for that opportunity to present itself, with him being named to start at leftback for the Wolves' FFA Cup round five clash with Coledale.

"I thought it was a really good way for me to experience playing at that level - easing my transition into the first grade squad," Low said.

"Personally, I was happy how I played, especially considering it was my first real hit-out at that level - which involves faster play and more running, especially at my position.

"I thought I showed Luke [Wilshere] what I'm capable of and hopefully I can push to make my Wolves NPL debut soon."

Until then, Low will look to balance his year 12 HSC commitments at Bomaderry High with this training with both the Wolves under 20s and first grade group.

"I'm just going to keep working hard and hopefully lock down a starting spot in first grade in the future," he said.

"From there, I'd love to keep pushing for higher honours, such as playing in the A-League and even for the Socceroos."