Italia over The Great Wall

By JARROD POTTER
MOST young soccer players are happy to play in a big tournament in Victoria.
Adam Italia on the other hand is off to China this month.
Italia, 16, from Beaconsfield, will be a crucial member of the Australia Under-17 Footskills Dragons in The Great Wall Cup of Beijing – International Youth Football Tournament from 22-28 July.
Getting the chance to represent Australia against other Asia-Pacific countries like China, Japan and Korea, Italia was shocked to receive the good news from his Hallam Senior College Soccer Academy coach Ian Williamson.
“I was shocked and happy at the same time – it was great to get into the team,” Italia said.
“The coach of the Australian team is also the coach of the team at the Hallam Senior School, and he (Williamson) knew me from there and picked me to come play with them and now we’re going through training sessions and learning the plays.”
Plying his craft out of his favoured right back position, Italia moved across to Beaconsfield last year, after living in Essendon and playing soccer for Keilor Park as a junior and is in the process of looking for a club to play for in the local area after the China trip concludes.
“My position is right back and when I was younger I played everywhere, trying to find a position for me, but I’ve been playing left back and right back for the majority of my time,” Italia said.
“Right now my main focus is on China and then after that I’m thinking of finding a local club to play for.
“I’m more of a ‘get out there and do it yourself’ person, I do enjoy watching games, but I prefer to be out there myself playing.”
The Cardinia Shire council contributed $300 to help Italia get to China and if any businesses or individuals are interested in sponsoring his trip, they are encouraged to contact Rob Italia on 0400 511 551.