Riverside Olympic's 18-year-old shot-stopper Reef Murfet has signed an NPL contract with the NSW club.

He follows Launceston City's Tyson Rusden, 12, who has joined Mariners' academy.

Murfet said he was delighted with the move which came despite fracturing a thumb at the start of his trial.

"I'm very excited for the opportunity to be able to express my ability at the highest level," he said.

"I've been working hard my whole life for this sort of opportunity so I'm very excited for the future."

Both keepers were given the opportunity after impressing during training sessions in Hobart with former Socceroo Alex Cisak who recommended them to Nick Montgomery at Mariners.

"Alex said he thought I had huge potential so contacted Nick and I sent some clips through to him," Murfet added.

"I went for a trial but fractured my thumb in the warm-up. I played the whole game with it and they said they liked what they saw and I ticked all the boxes.

"I was a little bit flat for the rest of the week because I could not do much with my thumb. I could only do kicking and fitness work so had to stay as positive as possible."

Murfet had also had a successful trial with NPL Queensland club Magpie Crusaders and trained with A-League powerhouse Brisbane Roar which included some valuable guidance from first team keeper Jamie Young.

"He gave me advice about having the right mentality and said if I kept pushing it will happen because I've got good potential, which really helped."

Mariners subsequently invited Murfet to join their academy and he will head interstate in January to train with the club's under-23s and A-League squads.

"They want me to play for the under-23s who play in NPL NSW division two, and I could be third keeper with the A-League squad," he said.

"They said they were impressed with what they saw and believed I have good potential.

"It's a big training schedule but I'm keen to get started."

The former Launceston Christian School student has been with Riverside for two years after six at Northern Rangers.

He said he owes much to both clubs and is setting himself big goals for the future.

"I had a really positive time at Rangers and Alex [Gaetani] and Chris [Rademacher] saw potential in me and I've developed a lot since coming to Riverside.

"Both clubs really helped with my development and setting me up for the future.

"My dream is to play in the A-League and for the Socceroos or I would love to go to Europe and continue the journey."

Olympic were swift to congratulate Murfet who they said had "been an integral member of both NPL and Northern Championship squads" since moving to Windsor Park.

"In his two seasons with ROFC, Reef has been an asset, both on and off the field, as an integral club member providing training to some of our up and coming junior goalkeepers," the Windsor Park club said on Facebook.

"Reef is an extremely hard working, talented young footballer and we at ROFC are proud of his achievements.

"We are proud that we are able to provide an environment that develops and allows young footballers the opportunity to pursue pathways and their goals and aspirations.

"We wish Reef all the best for the 2021 season and beyond."

Murfet, whose thumb fracture required six weeks in a splint before rehab, hopes to be linking up with Rusden's family in NSW as both young Launceston keepers grab their opportunity.

"It is a bit strange with us both being keepers but goes to show there is potential in Tasmania. Not enough kids get the opportunity and ex-pros like Alex Cisak enable guys like myself and Tyson to have a chance.

"I did not know him when he was at Riverside but it will be good to have two Tassie boys chasing their dream at the same place."