Kicking goals with kids

The
Catholic Weekly
Online

Sydney
8 February 2004

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Kicking goals with kids

Kicking goals with kids

By Damir Govorcin

Parramatta Power forward Ante Milicic is one of the best strikers in the National Soccer League, but it’s the work he performs off the soccer field that has won him his latest accolade.

The City of Canada Bay has presented him with its Australia Day Sports Citizen of the Year Award for his work with Ronald McDonald House – a “home away from home” for the families of seriously ill children being treated at nearby hospitals – and in coaching kids.

“Playing in the NSL for more than 10 years, visiting sick children, coaching at junior camps and making shopping centre appearances is something that I have enjoyed doing,” says Ante.

“It’s hard when a child is sick, but what I have tried to do is put a smile on their faces.

“A few weeks ago, we had a few sick kids in the dressing-room and they were in high spirits.

“They like being around the players and the feeling is mutual.”

Ante, 29, has played more than 170 NSL matches and this season he is in career best form, scoring 13 goals to be the competition’s leading-goal scorer.

His performances have helped pilot Parramatta Power to the upper regions of the NSL and into the position of presenting a genuine threat to defending champion Perth Glory.

Ante was marked as a player with potential when he secured an Australian Institute of Sport scholarship at the age of 16.

He was a star performer for Sydney United (the name was changed from Sydney Croatia in 1993) from 1991-97, before achieving his dream of playing professionally in Europe.

“Going to Europe, I had to contend with things such as the cold weather, language, culture and training every day which was hard,” he said.

Ante spent four years in the Netherlands and Croatia, before returning to Australia to play for Sydney Olympic.

“It was a tough decision to leave Europe, but I put my family first instead of my career,” he says.

“I’d be lying if I said that at times when I watch matches from overseas that I don’t miss it, but I’ve no regrets about coming home.”

He played in back-to-back grand finals with Olympic, scoring the match-winner in the 2001-2002 decider.

Since his return, he has become a married man and a father (he and Marianna, who have been married for two years, have a seven-month old son, Daniel).

Ante joined Parramatta Power this season. The team is in contention for the title, but its financial backer, Parramatta Leagues Club, will be withdrawing its support at the end of the season.

After spending millions of dollars during the Power’s five years in the competition, Parramatta Leagues will not put in a submission to be part of the reformed National Soccer League next season.

This leaves the footballing future up in the air for Ante and his team-mates.

“It will be a worrying time because those players who can’t find another club will be unemployed,” says Ante.

“I always believe if you give it your best shot, good things will come to you.

“My body feels good and I’m keen to play for a few more seasons.”

He has played twice for the Socceroos and hasn’t given up hope of being a part of the 2006 World Cup campaign.

“I think Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell have the two strikers’ position sewn up, but may be

I can squeeze my way into the squad,” he says.