Connor is a 15 year old playing for Playford City Soccer Club in S.A.
His dream is to one day become a professional footballer, Ideally playing for Liverpool in the EPL and the Socceroo’s national team representing Australia.
He has been playing since 2006 beginning his playing journey at Elizabeth Downs Junior Soccer club playing under 6′s.
In 2012 after 6 seasons he moved to play federation soccer, briefly at Salisbury United before settling at Playford City and now going into his 4th season with the club.
Connor has been fortunate to twice play in League winning teams, in 2010 and 2014.
Except for the first year of playing he has always played up above his age level, however decided in 2014 to play back at his age level and develop his skills better.
Connor volunteers around the club whenever he can, from collecting gate fee’s to helping in the canteen or with running the line as an assistant referee.
Last season (2015) was a stellar year for Connor with him being able to play in his preferred midfield position for majority of the season but also when needed dropping back as a strong defender and scoring 9 goals in the last 6 games of the season and assisting with many more throughout the year, it was a real great team effort, particularly towards the later part of the season.
This resulted in Connors team being named the clubs “Team of the year”, whilst individually Connor was awarded with his Team’s “Best and Fairest” aswell as the Club’s “Junior Player Of The Year” Perpetual Trophy.
Due in part to his great season we rewarded him by enrolling him in Adelaide United’s Summer Soccer School’s program, a 15 week program training with the Adelaide United school, during which time we learned of trial’s for the Mediteranean International Cup soccer tournament to be held in Spain in March 2016.
Connor decided to trial, hoping, dreaming of making the cut, but never really wanting to get his hopes too high, after 3 weeks of trials he found out he has now been SUCCESSFULL in gaining a place on the squad.
Connor will be representing Adelaide United under 16′s, staying in Barcelona and Villareal, Spain over a 12 day period, and playing against some of the best juniors in the world.
This is a massive step towards his dream, with the tournament having in the past seen the likes of Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Marcelo, Fabregas all being past participants, and others who have gone on to have professional careers.
As a family we have spent the last 10 years dedicated to not only Connor’s Football but also his sister Caitlin who plays netball at a high level.
Understandably over the years their dream’s have also become our dream’s so we also wish to be able to travel to Spain and support Connor in this opportunity of a lifetime, which is where our need for funding assistance steps in, as we expect that the trip is going to cost us around $20,000 which we will attempt to get a loan to cover.
It is our hope to raise around $5000 to cover the costs of Connor’s travel, accomodation, team bag and tracksuit and tournament fees aswell as a couple of outings the team has planned to watch La Liga games in Spain, and a tour of Barcelona FC’s Camp Nou stadium.
While we hope to be able to raise the needed funds we understand we may fall short but any help is very much appreciated and if he makes it you will be able to take pride in knowing you played a part.
Connor also promises that if he does one day become the successfull footballer he dreams to be, he plans to donate at least double the amount raised to help others.