This week’s featured Qantas Socceroo is arguably the best mid-fielder Australia has ever produced, Tim Cahill.  As quoted by football commentator, Simon Hill – ‘can a story about our illustrious Socceroos be written without it featuring this man, Tim Cahill’.
Stephanie visits Tim’s home in the North of England and they casually discuss the Socceroos achievements at the last World Cup, and how exciting it’s going to be for us all in South Africa, 2010.  Tim tells us of the incredible support he received from his family and the hardships they all faced following Tim’s undying passion for football - the important role they played in guiding his years as a junior here in Australia, and right through his amazing rise to world-wide football fame. 

He explains the passion that drove him to overcome what he says was a tough time for him as a junior trying to break through – initially regarded as being ‘too small’ and lacking ‘vertical jump’ - and the focused training he undertook to overcome this. 

His absolute devotion to family is abundantly clear, and he expresses how dedicated he is to repaying his larger family as well - all football-loving Australians with what he and the Socceroos achieve on the park. We also learn of his personal efforts to grow Australian youth talent through the workings of his football academy based in Dubai.

Now a highly regarded leader at EPL club, Everton, he describes wearing the Green and Gold as the ultimate, the pinnacle of his amazing career, and he just can’t wait for another tilt at the World Cup. 
Tim believes he can keep playing at this level until he is 40 – we certainly hope he’s right!!

Enjoy Tim’s story again right here.

For more about the Qantas Socceroos, go to www.qantas.com/football

 

This week’s featured Qantas Socceroo is defender, Craig Moore.

Craig chats with Stephanie about his Captaincy of the Brisbane Roar and their prospects this year. And, we learn of Craig’s rise from the junior ranks of his first club, Rooty Hill in Western Sydney, to his Australian debut as a 13 year old in the U17’s Joey’s, the AIS and then his time at the Glasgow Rangers and the EPL.

He convinced European teammate, Charlie Miller to come to the Roar and Craig is confident of a good showing for the club in 2009. Craig describes his cancer scare of last year and we’re all very glad to hear of his full recovery.

Craig is a family man who is clearly enjoying life back in Queensland and is very pleased that he can play here in a strong A-League and still be confident of winning Socceroo selection for the 2010 World Cup.

Enjoy Craig’s story again right here.

For more about the Qantas Socceroos, go to www.qantas.com/football

This week’s featured Qantas Socceroo is midfield stalwart, Vince Grella.

Hear how football was his life from a very early age, following his brothers around the backyard and playing in their teams, well above his year group. Seems this is a constant theme among our current crop of Qantas Socceroos.

Vince tells us of his rise from a 16 year old at the AIS to his trial with Everton before a 10 year stint in Italy before joining fellow Socceroo, Brett Emerton at Blacktown Rovers in 2008. Vince describesd his frustrations over injuries last year – how tough it is to watch from the sideline when you can’t contribute.

Vince tells us of his approach to the game – that enjoying your football is key to long term success. We hear from Vince’s mum and it’s very clear that it tugs at the family heart strings when it comes to putting on the green and gold! Enjoy Vince’s story again right here.

For more about the Qantas Socceroos, go to www.qantas.com/football

This week’s featured Qantas Socceroo is new Gold Coast United recruit, Jason Culina.

Hear how Jason has settled into the way of life and football on the Gold Coast after 9 years in Holland. He has great hopes for our Qantas Socceroos in the World Cup South Africa next year and has every reason to believe that he’ll be there. We don’t doubt it!

Jason tells us of his approach to the game and believes firmly that you play your best football when you are relaxed and happy, enjoying the game. Well, we certainly enjoy watching you play Jason. Watch this insightful interview with Jason again right here.

For more about the Qantas Socceroos, go to www.qantas.com/football

Brett Emerton features in this episode of Football Stars of Tomorrow.  Brett Captained the Olyroos in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.  He is a highly ranked Qantas Socceroo.  Brett is renowned for his athletic ability and fitness.

In this interview, Brett describes the role of his proud parents in his rise to international stardom.  He fondly remembers his first game at the local park as a five year old.  We also hear of his days at the AIS, Sydney Olympic, his move overseas and his long stint at EPL side, Blackburn Rovers. He also reminisces over the 2006 World Cup.

Brett describes the excitement of the build to the 2009 World Cup.  He discusses the Socceroos determination to ‘do it even better’ next time round. 

A must see!

For more about the Qantas Socceroos, go to www.qantas.com/football

Captain of the Qantas Socceroos and Westham United, Lucas Neil chats with Stephanie on the honour he feels in leading the ‘Hammers’ and what it means to him personally to captain his country.

This feature segment of our illustrious leader reflects on of his days as a junior at Manly on the North Shore of Sydney, and his rise through the representative ranks of District, to NSW and on to the AIS before his entry to the big time at Millwell, Blackburn Rovers and now Westham United.

Lucas also explains how his trademark position of fullback came about after being highly regarded as a two-footed striker in his early formative years.  Most of all, Lucas discusses how his role as leader of the illustrious Qantas Socceroos is an outcome that far surpasses his dreams and expectations as a footballer. 

A must see.

For more about the Qantas Socceroos, go to www.qantas.com/football

In episode two, Football Stars of Tomorrow travels to London to chat with Australian and Fulham FC Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer about all things football.  Over a cup of coffee with Stephanie Brantz, a laid-back Mark Schwarzer tells us how he goes about balancing a full family life with a professional footballer career abroad.  We hear from Ron Hodgson, Fulham Football Club Manager on the importance of having Mark in his squad and how he contributes to the club on the park.

Mark discusses what it was like growing up in rural Australia and how his career has developed from local junior club keeper under his father’s coaching to now being one of the worlds very best.  He describes the  highs and lows and the mental side to successful goalkeeping, providing tips to aspiring goalkeepers on how to reverse the pressure on your opponents.   Most of all, Mark tells us how fortunate he is to be carving out an outstanding career in the one thing he absolutely loves – goalkeeping in the green and gold.

For more about the Qantas Socceroos, go to www.qantas.com/football

Harry Kewell left these sunny shores at the age of 15 for the bright lights of English Football.
 
It wasn't as simple as it sounds though. Harry takes us on his journey from Smithfield Public School through the Marconi Stallions to the Big Brother program which took him to Leeds United and ultimately the big time.
 
After eight fabulous years at Leeds (182 appearances and 45 goals), the boyhood dream of playing for Liverpool became reality. In the five years at the Merseyside club, Harry experienced both the joy of winning the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup, and the pain of recurring debilitating injuries.
 
Watching his slow progress on crutches as he made his way down the tunnel at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, every Australian fan wondered if they'd seen the last of the Golden Boy of the Socceroos.
 
BUT a move to Turkey in 2008 saw a rejuvenated Harry explode back into action.  Leaving his wife and children back in England was difficult for him as he joined Galatasaray S.K. in Istanbul, sharing an apartment with his physiotherapist Les Gelis who personally oversees his program and recovery.
 
The Gala faithful welcomed him with open arms and he is adored throughout the country - even by the fans of other clubs.
 
When Football Stars of Tomorrow paid him a visit in his home town, Harry talked us through the rollercoaster of his career.  The beginning, the middle, and an end which is not yet in sight.

Most importantly, he tells us how much he loves pulling on the green and gold, and with a World Cup coming up, that's the best news of all!

For more about the Qantas Socceroos, go to www.qantas.com/football

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