Zabala grabs Roar chance
Midfielder earns spot in NYL squad
LOUIS Zabala is proof hard work reaps results.
The teenager who moved out of home and interstate at 15, and then overseas at 18, has come back home and struck gold.
With the pandemic cutting short his time with Spanish under-19 outfit Torre Levante CF, Zabala returned home to Townsville.
He quickly struck up a connection with Burdekin, helping its Premier League side to within one win of the finals, and coached its youth men’s team to the preliminary.
Through it all he kept up his training, going to the fields on his own every day, knowing an opportunity would arise.
That opportunity came this week, with a week-long trial with the Brisbane Roar.
The midfielder worked hard under the watchful eye of ALeague head coach Warren Moon.
His hard work has paid off, with the Roar asking Zabala to extend his stay in the state’s capital and play out the rest of the season with its National Youth League squad. Waiting for him at the end of the season could be a Roar contract.
“It has been a surreal week,” Zabala said. “I had never met the A-league coach, he just pulled me aside after a session and had a chat. They said they were impressed with what they had seen and wanted me to stick around.
“They want to see a bit more of what I have got, and if things go well maybe something even more long term.”
Not keen to rest on his laurels, the box-to-box midfielder is determined to make an impression over the next five weeks. While he is still eligible for two more seasons of the NYL competition, Zabala has his sights set on the top league.
“My goal would be to break through into the A-league squad next season,” he said.
“But there is still plenty of work to do before then. The job is only just beginning and I am keen to give it all I have got.”
Zabala credited his parents, who have been a driving force behind his success since he first moved out of home at 15 to chase an opportunity with Sydney sports school Westfields Sports High.
That extended to his time playing in the junior leagues of Spain and living around the city of Valencia. An opportunity cut short, that could have almost derailed his career.
“I said that to my parents and my family – things weren’t so bright in March and through the virus, coming home from Europe, back to playing in Townsville,” he said.
“But everything happens for a reason and this is a great opportunity. (My parents) had me at home for a second before I was gone again, but they are OK, they are unreal and so supportive.”
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