How record-breaker Rhyan Grant rose from the school oval to Sydney FC's top role

In his junior days with Bathurst 75 Western, he was an attacking midfielder always wanting the ball at his feet.

"That's what illustrated him as a player the most, the willingness to say 'give me the ball and I'm going to try something'," former Bathurst 75 Western coach Andrew Fearnley said.

"Sometimes it didn't work, and sometimes it did and he would be the hero of the moment."

That fearlessness has helped drive Grant to what he has achieved since.

When the new A-League Men's season kicks off this weekend, Grant will lead out Sydney FC as its new captain.

It's been a long journey from his days as a student running around the back oval of St Edward's Primary School in Canowindra.

The dynamic right-back has played 21 matches for his country, scoring once, while he was Sydney FC's first 10-year player in 2018, has made a club-record 339 appearances, and has won three A-League titles.

But for all of that, he's still the same person for those who knew him during his junior days out west.

"The biggest thing was the good camaraderie and personality," Fearnley added.

"It's good to see that Rhyan hasn't forgotten where he started and he's always been willing to promote that.

"I know he's done some with with me with (NSW) Country teams in the past and with young players, so he's not forgotten his roots and that's a positive.

"You follow these kinds of players throughout their careers because of how they were."

Grant started out in Canowindra, playing in the local Cowra junior competition, and went to another level soon after moving to study at St Stanislaus in Bathurst.

After a season with Churches United, he made the move to Bathurst 75 Western to play at a higher level.

That was where Fearnley coached him and where Grant really made his presence felt, initially as an attacking midfielder who was easy to spot with his longer, blonde hair.

Those days involved many trips to Sydney, and stops at Blackheath on the way home for burgers and chips.

Soon, Grant was making the move to Sydney full-time after earning a position at the NSW Institute of Sport.

It was a huge move for Grant and his family and it was a shock to the system early as he was no longer the biggest fish in the pond.

But his willingness to do apply himself and put the work in was rewarded with a move to Sydney FC's academy.

That was where former Socceroo Gerry Gomez - then coach of the academy side - first saw Grant.

"Rhyan arrived from the AIS looking more like he was a surfer than a footballer with his blue eyes and long blonde hair," Gomez told Inside Sport in 2019.

"I had no idea he was from the country. He probably never saw a surfboard until he got to Sydney.

"But very soon I saw the quality. I came to the realisation pretty soon that it was only a matter of time before he would play for Australia.

"His work ethic was superb. A great attitude, too, who wanted to achieve things.

"But what I remember vividly was his pace. Incredible it was.

"He was a man on a mission. Nothing was going to hold him back."

Gomez was proved right, as Grant has become a true great of the A-Leagues with a host of accolades and achievements.

The captaincy is the latest, and the right-back spoke of his pride after being appointed to the role during the off-season.

"This is a massive honour and privilege," Grant told Sydney FC's website.

"This is the next step for me in my career and I feel very honoured to be named captain."

Sydney FC manager Ufuk Talay also heaped praise on the 33-year-old.

"Rhyan embodies the values and the culture of this club, and I think he is at a stage of his career where he deserves the armband.

"I think he will honour and cherish that leadership role within the team."

Grant's season starts with a derby clash against the Western Sydney Wanderers from 7.35pm on Saturday, October 19.