Schwarzer inspires future Socceroos at Colo
Socceroo Mark Schwarzer is an inspiration for many at the Kanga Cup.
For some, they admire what he has done for his country, and for others, they want to emulate the star.
But for the Colo Cougars under-18s, it’s because they know him.
Schwarzer’s club as a child was the Cougars, and coach John Hall says the players look tip to him and are proud to say they play at the same club as him.
“He also went to one of the schools that a lot of these kids go to as well,” Hall said.
Hall said the teams draw inspiration from Schwarzer, and it had been working, with the club winning three of its four round-robin snatches.
It will play in the finals. Last year it finished first in its pool.
Hall said the Cougars were just a club team, and playing against representative teams was tough, but it had caused some upsets, and exceeded its own expectations.
“I think we’ve been a bit of an upset to a couple of teams,” he said.
The team has been struck down by flu and injuries while at the Cup, but is still strong.
Hall said he wanted other teams from Colo to come to the Cup next year, but, as with most teams, money was an issue.
Schwarzer usually helped out in that department.
“He comes back a lot to see the club and whenever we do fund-raising lie’s always supporting its, giving its signed shirts, and things like that.”
The Colo Cougars are not just the former club of Schwarzer.
Chris Tadrosse, who previously played for A-League side Melbourne Victory and is now at the North Queensland Fury, comes from the Cougars, as does former Socceroo Luke Casserly.
So if the Cougars history is anything to go by, perhaps a few future Socceroos are playing at this year’s Kanga Cup.