His father Gavin played at the Australian Institute of Sport and his older brother Beaudon played for Newcastle Jets, yet Liam recalls the atmosphere being relaxed.

"There were things to work on to better myself but the biggest thing was to enjoy it," the 18-year-old says. "Dad played his best when he had the same freedom."

It is an attitude Liam is harnessing as the face and force of Newcastle City Football Academy, a new soccer coaching business in Belmont. Assisted by coach and player David Romeo, the location of the new academy is strategic.

"When I was a kid in Eleebana, I didn't get an opportunity to do extra training because there was nothing nearby," says Liam.

The former Hunter Sports High School student was an emerging Jet for nine years but reconsidered his options when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

He began coaching the Under 14's Charlestown Azzurri, for whom he plays first grade, before setting up the Academy with the help of Romeo, the skills acquisition program coordinator for the Azzurri. The pair met on the field, when Romeo saw how people were constantly approaching Liam for training.

Starting with a few kids, the pair now run academy training two days a week for more than 50 kids aged between 9 and 14.

While their objective is to find a pathway for their young talent, who all belong to a National Premier League club, it's also about giving them confidence when playing and the chance to create great friendships.

"We give them constructive, positive feedback. That's why the program has taken off," Romeo says.

The youngest person in NSW to get his C Licence, or coaching licence, with the highest score, Liam says kids who haven't played may participate as long as they have the right attitude.

Keen to learn the business ropes, too, Liam says his coaching is "up front and honest".

"With kids, you want to try and bring them up the right way," he says.