Mathew Ryan has been named the NAB Young Player of the Month for December.

The 18-year old goalkeeper was voted as the most outstanding U21 player in the A-League for the final month of 2010.

Ryan's performances between Week 17 and Week 20 of the A-League season allowed him to be nominated for the NAB Young Footballer of the Year, becoming the fifth nominee of the season.

The Mariners gloveman joins North Queensland Fury's Chris Payne, Adelaide United's Mathew Leckie, Brisbane Roar's Luke DeVere and Mariners teammate Mustafa Amini as nominations so far this term.

The overall winner will receive a $10,000 personal investment portfolio, a NAB Private Client Manager to assist with a range of banking and financial services, and the inaugural NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award.

To acknowledge the vital role junior football clubs play in the development of today's young stars as they strive to reach their potential, NAB will also present a $3,000 equipment pack to Westfields Sports High School, the school Ryan nominated for assisting most in his junior development.