A-team reunites to foster young talent
WORK hard, but have fun.
They are five words to describe a simple, innocent love of football, but it is one of the key messages former international stars Michael Thwaite and Shane Smeltz have shared with juniors at the Far North Queensland Youth Cup this week.
Run by former A-League midfielder Zenon Caravella, the tournament, which is open to development programs from across the country, wrapped up at The Grounds on Wednesday, ending four days of intense training, coaching, learning – and plenty of action on the field.
The week started with training and Q&A sessions for Caravella Football Academy members on Monday, as juniors were able to learn from two internationals who spent some of their junior football lives in Cairns, as well as from academy coaches Caravella and Joshua Taylor.
“We did the clinics on (Monday) and it was great to see the CFA players, and it’s now doing coaching, trying to help the kids have fun, work hard and hopefully win games,” Thwaite said.
“I focused more on interceptions; basically stepping in front of strikers. That was a big part of my game, reading the play and working hard.”
While the focus was clearly on the kids, it was a reunion of sorts for the trio, who played in the A-league for Gold Coast United more than a decade ago.
They played junior football in Cairns.
Caravella played 147 games in several seasons in the A-League, suited up for the former FNQ Heat in the NPL a few years ago, and plays for Leichhardt in the FNQ Premier League.
Thwaite grew up in Cairns, went on to play for the Socceroos and only recently announced his retirement.
Smeltz spent a year or so at Stratford as a youngster and represented the All Whites more than 50 times before his return to Gold Coast United in the NPL.
“It’s always nice to come back,” Smeltz said.
“I did this with Zenon a few years ago before I went into coaching and I really enjoyed it. When he asked if I was keen to come back this year I put my hand up.”
For Smeltz, the opportunity to talk to young players was key as the motivation to become a better player could come from a simple conversation.
“It might just be something you say that sticks in their head,” Smeltz said.
“You remember certain things from certain coaches.
“It could be a striker’s tip or from Thwaitey, a defender’s tip – it’s just about keeping the smile on their faces.”
The Far North Queensland Youth Cup grand finals will be held on Thursday.
I DID THIS WITH ZENON A FEW YEARS AGO BEFORE I WENT INTO COACHING AND I REALLY ENJOYED IT. WHEN HE ASKED IF I WAS KEEN TO COME BACK THIS YEAR I PUT MY HAND UP
SHANE SMELTZ