After over 500 domestic appearences for Feyonoord, Blackburn in the English Premier League and Sydney FC in our very own A-League, along with representing the Socceroos an incredible 95 times (making him the the third most capped Socceroo) and playing at two World Cups, Brett Emerton hung up the boots last season as back injuries took their toll, but is still staying very active in the game, particularly at grassroots level, and has taken on the role of ambassador to ‘Ultimate Soccer’.
Endorsed by the FFA’s Grassroots program, ‘Ultimate Soccer‘ is bringing the world-class football experience from the UK to Australia with its state-of-the-art-facilities, and providing Australians with an enjoyable, safe and accessible form of exercise for everyone.
Outside90’s Benny Jones recently spoke with the former high-flying winger about the program, and a few other topical footballing issues.
Outside90: Brett welcome to Outside90.com.
BE: Thanks for having me.
O90: First things first,”Ultimate Soccer”, from the outside appears a wonderful program, a terrific initiative aimed at helping produce and assist our next generation of stars, tell us abit about it.
BE: Yeah it’s a fantastic state of the art facility which has just opened in the western suburbs of Sydney, in Fairfield, made up of eight artificial five-a-side football pitches and I think it will become really essential in grassroots football. Al things going well we will have many more of these facilities across the country soon allowing kids and people of all ages to get out there and enjoy football no matter what skill or fitness level.
O90: Brett you were renowned for your pace, durability, and fitness, obviously a key component to being a footballer, as well as discipline and hard work which also help and will be taught and encouraged through Ultimate Soccer.
BE:Without doubt, and I think the beauty of this is we know adults these days dont always have alot of spare time, and there are league and competitions set up where you dont need to take much more than an hour out of your day to enjoy some football, but still be playing in a competitve and well contested competition.
O90: You grew up in the west, a suburb just outside of Sydney playing for the Campbelltown Gunners, and thats where you learned to love the game, hone your skill base.
We imagine there were not many programs like this available when you were running around kicking the frost off the ground on weekends in winter?
BE: Yeah it’s great for the junior kids of the area, but not only the young ones but men and women of all shapes and sizes, all ages, can get out there and have a go. Ive been out there a few times myself and its a wonderful setup, the facilities on offer are brilliant and lots of people are going to enjoy playing their football there.
O90: We have had a look at some vision of the setup, its terrific, world class, and best of all its for all weather conditions, day or night. So if you want a kick, and can rustle up the numbers, the facilities are right there and will help you scratch that football itch whenever you like!
BE: That’s right, football is such a major part of the Western Sydney community, and not only is this program a great opportunity to simply go out and have a kick, but also to get active, and lead a healthier lifestyle as a result.
O90: Just a few questions on what else youre up to these days Brett, now the playing days are done and dusted, options like the media, coaching, or more ambassadorial roles like the one you are currently undertaking, what further involvement in the game for Brett Emerton is likely down the track?
BE: I’m still currently working as an ambassador for Football Australia, so working to give back to the game in whatever way I can. Thats mainly at grassroots level at the moment, working with young kids and its been a really enjoyable experience for me.
It has helped me fall back in love with the game which at times during the frustrating period leading up to my retirement was not always the case.
So I consider myself very lucky to be doing what I’m doing and hopefully can give back as much as what football has given me. Beyond that, I’m not too sure.
O90: Retirement probably hasnt really even had the time to sink in yet, but what is it you miss most about the day to day routine, playing football at such a high level?
BE: Theres a few things, naturally playing the game itself, but the locker room banter with the boys, testing yourself against your direct opponent, the great friendships you build and develop through playing this great game.
But on the other hand, things like constant physio, watching what we eat, drink, the injuries. There’s definitely good and bad there I guess.
O90: The growth of the A-League, even during the short time you were back with Sydney FC, must be great to see and to have been a part of and it seems like with the quality of football being played, the players the league is attracting, the sky’s the limit moving forward?
BE: Yeah it continues to suprise me year in, year out, and I’ve been back in Australia for three years now and in those last three seasons the league has gone from strength to strength. The quality of play, and players is definately improving, and I can’t wait to see where we will be in another 10 years time.
It’s exciting, it’s a competition where each and every team is very closely matched, which makes for entertaining football week in, week out.
O90: Its a fair arguament to the naysayers who might pot the quality of youth and development locally, you only have to look at blokes like Matty Ryan (now at Valencia) Danny de Silva at AS Roma, and others like Robbie Kruse, Adam Taggart etc who have made their mark at significant foreign clubs to suggest the Aleague is a fantastic learning curve and stepping stone to bigger things, is that how you assess it?
BE: Without doubt.
Like you say its great to see players like Maty Ryan who have had great success in the A-League make amazing careers for themselves overseas. It’s now a great league for players to develop their skills and I think it’s at a level now where players are coming here and staying longer instead of rushing overseas.
Which I think ultimately is important for young players to ensure they are ready to make that significant step up in a foreign league.
O90: And as for the game at a national level, the Socceroos look to have come through that long debated transitional phase from the Golden Generation you were a huge part of, to winning an Asian Cup, bringing in a passionate and determined manager, and some real talent getting early exposure to football at its toughest, under the international spotlight. Should simply qualifying for World Cups now be the minimum expectation?
BE: Yeah I think so. We definately need to keep qualifying for World Cups, because if we dont it could only be seen as a failure.
But I see the team we have now, is still so relatively young and definately improving in each and every game. So aiming higher should definately be what we, as a footballing country continue to do.
In Ange Postecoglou, we’ve got a fantastic manager, who wants to play a an exciting brand of football that capturing the imagination of the Australian people, so no doubt they are in safe hands and I can see some exciting times ahead for the Socceroos.
O90: We have got to ask you about the last playing link to that aforementioned Golden Generation, Timmy Cahill. We from the outside marvel at his durability and ability to still impact games so significantly at his age, but we get the sneaking suspicion as you’ve seen his work rate up close Brett you would not be that suprised if he was still playing a role in Russia for a fourth World Cup?
BE: He’s had an exceptional career has Timmy, both for himself personally and also with the Socceroos. Stepping up on the big occasions, it’s still a speciality of his, and it was such a pleasure to play with him and I’m wrapt to see him continue to do so well.
We will have to wait and see whether he can drag himself through to a fourth World Cup, and that remains to be seen, but as you said I would not bet against him, he loves the game, he’s a very determined character and keeps himself in great shape, so he’s every chance.
O90: We imagine you, like football fans around the country, are really enjoying this influx of big European clubs on our shores at present, and with the crowds turning up, people flocking just to see these guys train, the game seems in a wonderful place and hopefully these sorts of visitors will continue looking at Australia as a terrific preseason venue for years to come?
BE: I think you are right, we should definately be seeing more of the likes of these big European clubs like Madrid and Roma, Liverpool and Chelsea come to Australia for these pre-season friendlies because of the success of these recent visits.
But what I’ve found even more pleasing over these past few weeks and months is the way our ALeague clubs have acquited themselves against these powerhouses, putting in a good showing and certainly providing these big clubs a stern test.
Thats always going to be the key to attracting these guys out here, especially so close to their domestic seasons.
O90: So a reminder that if your chasing up more info on Ultimate Soccer which is powered by Rebel, head along to www.ultimatesoccer.com.au and find out why this brilliant program brings to Australia an enjoyable, safe and accessible form of exercise for everyone – the five-a-side soccer experience from the UK, with its network of purpose-built state-of-the-art soccer facilities open to the public at its flagship location in Fairfield, Western Sydney.
Best of all this program is easily available to all irrespective of age, gender, race and socio-economic background, and provides a safe environment that promotes health and fitness, skill development, discipline and respect.
Brett Emerton thanks for your time with us for Outside90.
BE: My pleasure, thanks very much for having me.
NOTE: Ultimate Soccer powered by Rebel www.ultimatesoccer.com.au and endorsed by Brett Emerton brings to Australia an enjoyable, safe and accessible form of exercise for everyone – the five-a-side soccer experience from the UK, with its network of purpose-built state-of-the-art soccer facilities open to the public at its flagship location in Fairfield, Western Sydney.
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