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Brett Holman, the magician.
Harry Kewell, Brett Emerton, Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer were all missing, but in Australia’s recent match against Oman at ANZ Stadium in Sydney there was only one name that mattered; Brett Holman.
Would it be too far-fetched to say that Holman is the most underrated Socceroo? Perhaps previously known only to the football cognoscenti, in the wider community he certainly played second fiddle to Kewell, Cahill et al.
Well it’s about time we started taking more interest in Holman, who is both a fine player and a fine individual. He is an indispensable part of the national team and I would be grooming him to take over the leadership from Lucas Neill.
Canberra families wanted
The AIS, FFA and Capital Football are all seeking Canberra families to provide home-stay arrangements for the AIS Football Program players in 2012 and 2013. It may seem like a novel call, but it is certainly one initiative that could help a young player – perhaps a future Socceroo – make the transition to living away from home in Canberra much easier.
The AIS Football Program aims to teach the scholarship holders teamwork, leadership and respect. The home-stay program will see them get better life experiences. Under the new program the next wave of Australia’s elite footballers will be placed with families rather than living in dormitory-style accommodation.
“Relocation to an AIS football program means moving away from home for the first time for many players and, with some of them as young as 15, it can be an overwhelming experience,” said FFA Head of National Teams John Boultbee.
Home-stay involves a local Canberra family welcoming a player into their home. The host family needs to offer a safe, supportive environment that provides stability for the player.
If interested, contact FFA Player Development Manager Jackson Kupke at jackson.kupke@ausport.gov.au.
Viareggio for APIA Leichhardt
A few years ago I had the privilege of traveling to Viareggio in Tuscany with the APIA Leichhardt under-20s team. It’s an experience that I will forever treasure - and not only because APIA Leichhardt had the honour of playing my favourite club Juventus!
The club is currently seeking players wishing to compete in the prestigious 64th edition of the annual ‘Coppa Carnevale’ under 20 Youth Cup in Italy between January 31st and February 16th 2012.
APIA Leichhardt will be participating in its tenth successive tournament in 2012 - a tournament that hosts the likes of AC Milan, Inter Milan, Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, Roma, Bayern Munich, Santos, Anderlecht, River Plate, Olympiacos and Fiorentina every year. In the past four years, APIA Leichhardt Tigers has faced the likes of Partizan Belgrade, AC Milan (twice), Inter Milan, Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur.
All trials are to be held at Lambert Park, Marion St, Leichhardt commencing at 6.30pm. For all enquiries please contact tour administrators Emanuele Ziino on 0410 794 626 or Tony Raciti on 0402 306666
All the way to riches
It seems nothing can stop the Hyundai A-league juggernaut. Money, money and more money, seems to flow into the competition. The latest is the Bakrie Group of Indonesia taking a controlling stake in the Brisbane Roar. It’s just the latest in a string of magnate millionaires and billionaires who have poured money into the domestic competition.
FFA CEO Ben Buckley welcomed the Bakrie Group into the A-League saying the announcement was a great result for Brisbane Roar, its supporters and the game in Australia.
“We have been working extremely hard to find the right investors for last year’s premiers and we believe we have found fantastic new owners in the Bakrie Group,” Buckley said.
“They have a strong background in football through ownership of several other clubs and their interests are in line with our outlook for the Roar.”
So far, so good. However there is also the risk that single owners may act in their best interests without actually considering the best interests of the game.
Exhibit one: Clive Palmer at the Gold Coast trying to limit spectator numbers at Skilled Stadium to 5,000 to avoid additional costs.
Exhibit two: Nathan Tinkler at the Newcastle Jets unceremoniously dumping coach Branko Culina and his son Jason Culina, the club’s marquee signing, to completely overshadow the Hyundai A-League launch on the same day.
“Our main priorities were to find investors that would not only provide the club with long term security, but also give the club the best opportunity for continued success,” Buckley said.
Let’s hope that all investors are singing from the same hymn sheet as Buckley.
The Bakrie Group do seem to have all the right ingredients for a successful, long-term partnership with the Roar and the Brisbane community. Through its sporting arm, Pelita Jaya Cronus, they will take a 70 percent interest in the club over ten years.
Pelita Jaya Cronus President, Aga Bakrie, outlined his company’s plans for the club.
Harry Kewell, Brett Emerton, Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer were all missing, but in Australia’s recent match against Oman at ANZ Stadium in Sydney there was only one name that mattered; Brett Holman.
Would it be too far-fetched to say that Holman is the most underrated Socceroo? Perhaps previously known only to the football cognoscenti, in the wider community he certainly played second fiddle to Kewell, Cahill et al.
Well it’s about time we started taking more interest in Holman, who is both a fine player and a fine individual. He is an indispensable part of the national team and I would be grooming him to take over the leadership from Lucas Neill.
Canberra families wanted
The AIS, FFA and Capital Football are all seeking Canberra families to provide home-stay arrangements for the AIS Football Program players in 2012 and 2013. It may seem like a novel call, but it is certainly one initiative that could help a young player – perhaps a future Socceroo – make the transition to living away from home in Canberra much easier.
The AIS Football Program aims to teach the scholarship holders teamwork, leadership and respect. The home-stay program will see them get better life experiences. Under the new program the next wave of Australia’s elite footballers will be placed with families rather than living in dormitory-style accommodation.
“Relocation to an AIS football program means moving away from home for the first time for many players and, with some of them as young as 15, it can be an overwhelming experience,” said FFA Head of National Teams John Boultbee.
Home-stay involves a local Canberra family welcoming a player into their home. The host family needs to offer a safe, supportive environment that provides stability for the player.
If interested, contact FFA Player Development Manager Jackson Kupke at jackson.kupke@ausport.gov.au.
Viareggio for APIA Leichhardt
A few years ago I had the privilege of traveling to Viareggio in Tuscany with the APIA Leichhardt under-20s team. It’s an experience that I will forever treasure - and not only because APIA Leichhardt had the honour of playing my favourite club Juventus!
The club is currently seeking players wishing to compete in the prestigious 64th edition of the annual ‘Coppa Carnevale’ under 20 Youth Cup in Italy between January 31st and February 16th 2012.
APIA Leichhardt will be participating in its tenth successive tournament in 2012 - a tournament that hosts the likes of AC Milan, Inter Milan, Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, Roma, Bayern Munich, Santos, Anderlecht, River Plate, Olympiacos and Fiorentina every year. In the past four years, APIA Leichhardt Tigers has faced the likes of Partizan Belgrade, AC Milan (twice), Inter Milan, Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur.
All trials are to be held at Lambert Park, Marion St, Leichhardt commencing at 6.30pm. For all enquiries please contact tour administrators Emanuele Ziino on 0410 794 626 or Tony Raciti on 0402 306666
All the way to riches
It seems nothing can stop the Hyundai A-league juggernaut. Money, money and more money, seems to flow into the competition. The latest is the Bakrie Group of Indonesia taking a controlling stake in the Brisbane Roar. It’s just the latest in a string of magnate millionaires and billionaires who have poured money into the domestic competition.
FFA CEO Ben Buckley welcomed the Bakrie Group into the A-League saying the announcement was a great result for Brisbane Roar, its supporters and the game in Australia.
“We have been working extremely hard to find the right investors for last year’s premiers and we believe we have found fantastic new owners in the Bakrie Group,” Buckley said.
“They have a strong background in football through ownership of several other clubs and their interests are in line with our outlook for the Roar.”
So far, so good. However there is also the risk that single owners may act in their best interests without actually considering the best interests of the game.
Exhibit one: Clive Palmer at the Gold Coast trying to limit spectator numbers at Skilled Stadium to 5,000 to avoid additional costs.
Exhibit two: Nathan Tinkler at the Newcastle Jets unceremoniously dumping coach Branko Culina and his son Jason Culina, the club’s marquee signing, to completely overshadow the Hyundai A-League launch on the same day.
“Our main priorities were to find investors that would not only provide the club with long term security, but also give the club the best opportunity for continued success,” Buckley said.
Let’s hope that all investors are singing from the same hymn sheet as Buckley.
The Bakrie Group do seem to have all the right ingredients for a successful, long-term partnership with the Roar and the Brisbane community. Through its sporting arm, Pelita Jaya Cronus, they will take a 70 percent interest in the club over ten years.
Pelita Jaya Cronus President, Aga Bakrie, outlined his company’s plans for the club.
“This commitment is for the long term, and an opportunity to not only support the growth of football in Brisbane, but to also strengthen ties between Australia and Indonesia,” he said.
“We have a strong track record of investing in football and we will support the club as it seeks to grow. Our vision is to make Brisbane Roar Australia’s most successful professional football club.”
Welcome aboard, Mr Bakrie.
Until next time, arriverderci!