The Epsom Soccer Club central midfielder will feature in a team of the state’s top under-18s that takes on Victorian youths predominately from the Horn of Africa.

The U-NITE match is a curtain-raiser to Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC’s A-League clash.

“I am very excited,” Crawley said.

“I have been waiting for this for a long time. Just to play at AAMI Park will be great.”

The Weeroona College student first joined Epsom SC in 2003.

The 15-year-old has played in the Victorian Champion’s League since 2009 and took out the Football Federation Victoria’s 2010 central player of the year at 14.

Crawley is the only player from Loddon Mallee to play in the VCL All-Stars team this evening.

“I think it will be a lot of fun,” he said. “It is really good for the (UNITE players) to get recognised.”

The UNITE FC team competed in Spain last year in the under-18 Mediterranean Cup in Barcelona.

Tonight is the third U-NITE match Melbourne Victory has hosted.

VCL All-Stars coach Anthony Frost said Crawley would experience an opportunity many desired.

“For a lot of them, it gives them the opportunity to experience what it might be like to be a professional,” he said.

“A lot of them are aspiring to be professional footballers. There is only one player from each of the 12 regions in Victoria.

“Hopefully, this will help them to bigger and better things.”

The match is about promoting multiculturalism and showcasing the next generation of Victorian soccer players.

“It is great that they can come together and play on Australia Day,” Frost said.

“It is fantastic and a great stage for them to represent Australia and multiculturalism.”

Crawley, a Melbourne Victory supporter, has captained Bendigo’s country championship squad four times and competed in national championships.