2007 AIS Men's Football program launched
Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Director, Professor Peter Fricker, today launched the 2007 AIS Men’s Football program in Canberra. Professor Fricker announced the program’s 25 scholarship holders for 2007 – Australia’s finest junior footballing talent.
Professor Fricker announced the program-s 25 scholarship holders for 2007 - Australia-s finest junior footballing talent.
‘The AIS, through the partnership between the Australian Sports Commission and Football Federation Australia (FFA), continues to help strengthen Australian football through the development of talented young athletes,- Professor Fricker said.
‘The Institute-s proud record of preparing players for national and international representation is testimony to the quality of the program.-
‘Last year-s Socceroos World Cup squad of 23 players contained 12 former AIS scholarship holders.-
‘International players such as Mark Viduka, Craig Moore, Ned Zelic, Brett Emerton, Lucas Neil, Mark Bresciano, Josh Kennedy and Vince Grella are just a few of the players who have come through the AIS Football program.-
The current group of AIS scholarship holders are likely to form the majority of the Young Socceroo team that will attempt to qualify for the 2009 FIFA World Youth Cup.
The head coach of the AIS Men-s Football squad, Steve O-Connor, said he was excited by the level of talent within his current squad.
‘The current squad has great depth with players demonstrating the physical and technical qualities required to be successful at international level,- O-Connor said.
‘All of our scholarship holders are eligible to be selected in the Australian Under-20 squad, which will be announced later in the year.-
‘The continued support of the AIS and the ASC is a critical component in the development of Australian men-s football.-
The current AIS Football squad, which competes in the Victorian Premier League, is made up of players born in 1989/90.
The AIS Football Program was established in 1981 as a foundation sport at the AIS.
A full list of the 2007 AIS Men-s Football program scholarship holders is attached.
2007 AIS/Australian Men-s Football Squad
Laurence Braude (NSW) James Brown (Tweed Heads, NSW) Peter Cvetanovski (NSW) Matthew Harper (Newcastle, NSW) James Holland (Central Coast, NSW) Marko Jesic (NSW) Matthew Jurman (NSW) Jason Naidovski (NSW) Andrew Redmayne (Central Coast, NSW) Sebastian Ryall (NSW) Ante Cicak (Geelong, Victoria) Milos Lujic (Victoria) Bonel Obradovic (Victoria) Matthew Theodore (Victoria) Isaka Cernak (Queensland) Luke De Vere (Queensland) Richard Greer (Queensland) Tahj Minniecon (Queensland) Stefan Vrbesic (Queensland) Jerrad Tyson (Queensland) Alex Sunasky (South Australia) Matthew Mullen (South Australia) Daniel Mullen (South Australia) Domenic Giampaolo (ACT) Dane Milovanovic (ACT)