A nations pride - Socceroos

[.::Stevo::.]

You do realise that football (soccer) is by far the most participated team sport in Australia. Already plenty of kids play the game.

Yer i know that, never said there wasn't..........

But the numbers will increase even more

 

[sachin]

Well Stevie Bracks said he'd hold a tickatape parade as well...When do we get one in Melbourne!?Sydney,Adelaide,Sydney!!!Disappointing.

 

[.::Stevo::.]

Yeh thats so stupid, they should at least have one match in Melbourne!!!

 

[sachin]

And with the MCG at full capacity there isn't anything better...

 

[rickyp]

the world cup will not influence kids starting soccer at all, its the kids dropping out of soccer to play football at the age of around 15 that will change. The world cup will hopefully keep these kids playing till an older age. My dad showed me the numbers (he manages the local league of junior soccer), soccer is miles ahead from u/9s - 14s but after that its pretty much dead even, with a steep decrease preceeding it. Football numbers stay pretty much even from 9's - 19's etc. Anyway, thats what the facts show, you can argue them if you want

 

[James219]

Well, rickyp, you're dead right, but then again it could actually indirectly influence certain younger groups to take up the sport, too- by this, I mean their parents may have been so caught up in the spectacle of the WC, that it's encouraged them to enrol their son/daughter ahead of other sports such as the codes of rugby.
But with regards to participation levels, yeah, it's definitely the most participated team sport in Aus- for example, the Sutherland and Granville competitions in Sydney are massive, and far bigger than any league district.

 

[sachin]

Lest not get into 'thugby'.It's really great that Football is doing so well at a participation rate level but very disappoing that we don't have more of these player becoming passionate fans.If the A-League is going to really succeed it will need a better performance from New Zealand and better crowd numbers.I wonder why so many teenagers drop out of football...maybe they prefer the green stuff/

 

[rickyp]

mainly because their mates dont play it? but im not too sure, thats just what happens

 

[sachin]

And maybe the fact that Aussies HATE cheaters,and wimps.We are a very manly society i'm afraid.

 

[rickyp]

yes but that would have no effect on club soccer, i used to play and there is very very little diving, at least in the league i was in, there might be higher up but who knows

 

[sachin]

But the league doesn't matter in sports such as football.It's the really big stuff,the big players that matter to the public.And they certainly do dive...

 

[sportzchick]

Some good news for the Socceroos......

http://www.theage.com.au/news/socce...ceroos-comeback/2006/07/08/1152240539399.html

Vidmar cleared for Socceroos' comeback

SOCCEROO Tony Vidmar has been given the all-clear by doctors to resume his playing career after recovering from a potentially life-threatening heart condition.

Veteran Vidmar starred in Australia's World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay last November ? and scored a goal in the tense penalty shootout ? but was ruled out of the tournament after doctors detected an irregular heart rhythm.

But following an operation in Britain to correct the problem, the 36-year-old Socceroo has been told he can now resume training.

"I am feeling fine and am just looking at getting back into training," Vidmar said yesterday from his home in Holland.

Vidmar's heart condition was detected after a freak training accident in May when a teammate at Dutch club NAC Breda crashed into his chest, leaving him winded.

A routine examination the next day conducted by FIFA medical staff on all potential World Cup participants revealed Vidmar to be short of breath, leading doctors to discover a blood clot in his left coronary artery.

Vidmar's focus is now on winning a new club contract after his one-year deal with NAC Breda expired on June 30. While a return to the A-League is an option, the reality is that most local clubs have no room on their rosters nor finances available to sign one of Australia's most experienced defenders.

Instead of Australia, Vidmar is now looking at the possibility of extending his career in Holland, England or even the US.

Vidmar has made 75 appearances for the Socceroos and would have been included in the World Cup squad had he been fit.

:happy

 

[sachin]

Well thats great news!I hope he can get his career back on track.