It has only been one week since former Gambier Centrals soccer player Thomas Renzi made his first team debut with Super League powerhouse Adelaide Galaxy and despite his rapid rise to the first team the youngster knows he has a lot to learn.
Renzi who recently commenced his second year of a Bachelor of teaching degree at Flinders University has been working with The Round Ball program since returning to Mount Gambier in late November and after returning to Mount Gambier this week for a teaching placement at Mount Gambier High School took time out to help juniors at a Round Ball training session during the week.
“I am really happy to help out when I come home. This trip was out of the blue, but it gave me the chance to help out at training with the juniors and I enjoy that. The standard in Adelaide is very high and the pace of the game is the hardest thing I have had to get used to. In my first game it was all going so quick and they were so good it was hard to come to grips with, after the last few games I am starting to get used to it.” Renzi added that his dramatic rise to the first team at a Super League club is still hard to believe. “When I came back for Christmas I wasn’t sure whether I was going to focus on soccer or football this year. I played football at the start of last year, then after the Football Superstar starting playing soccer again in the amateurs. When I
came back to Mount Gambier in late October everybody was talking about The Round
Ball program and how good it was so I got in touch with Scott and asked him if I could come out for a look” said Thomas.
“When Thomas called me I was delighted as we have always rated Thomas. He is a natural leader and we thought he could help some of our younger player’s develop.” said Scott Dickson CEO of Mount Gambier based community soccer program The Round Ball. “Over the weeks Thomas started to grow in confidence and stature and after a visit from Ante Skoko, Josip’s brother he was invited to train with North Geelong Warriors, the side that signed Cameron Hart last year who compete in the
Victorian Premier League Division 1. He did well in Geelong however as he is halfway through his course it didn’t really suit his direction. When he returned we met
and set goals for his development this year and I contacted a close coaching
colleague in Adelaide who is at Galaxy.”
The rest happened very quickly with goals in reserve fixtures, starring in internal trial games and sitting on the bench for the first team.
“Last week Thomas was called up to the first team for the Preseason
cup trip to play Marden Blue Eagles and we are very proud of how he is
going. I am in regular contact with representatives from the club and his family and we are keen to go up for his league debut when that happens.” Added Dickson.
Adelaide Galaxy senior coach Carl Maynard is full of praise for the new
recruit, “we have had a close look at Thomas in the reserves and he has
done very well, so we thought we would give him a run in the first team.
After a bit of a slow start he did very well. Technically he is very good
and he started in the first team against Blue Eagles. He is doing well at the moment and if he continues to impress he may well get an opportunity in the first team during the regular season. We are very happy with him and hope he can maintain the good form that he has shown so far.”
‘Scott has been fantastic in his support of Thomas”, said Tony Renzi,
Thomas’s father. “He has really turned the corner with his soccer. Since
being part of The Round Ball program he has regained his focus and is
really committed to improving his skills and getting fitter. I can’t speak
more highly of the impact this program has had on my son”
“Our ambitions have always been to strive for excellence. Thomas is the
second player in the past 6 months that has graduated from our program and
is now playing football at a high level. We are keen to help any player
who would like to achieve the true potential. I have no doub't Thomas will succeed if he is committed to working hard.” Dickson concluded.
Renzi who recently commenced his second year of a Bachelor of teaching degree at Flinders University has been working with The Round Ball program since returning to Mount Gambier in late November and after returning to Mount Gambier this week for a teaching placement at Mount Gambier High School took time out to help juniors at a Round Ball training session during the week.
“I am really happy to help out when I come home. This trip was out of the blue, but it gave me the chance to help out at training with the juniors and I enjoy that. The standard in Adelaide is very high and the pace of the game is the hardest thing I have had to get used to. In my first game it was all going so quick and they were so good it was hard to come to grips with, after the last few games I am starting to get used to it.” Renzi added that his dramatic rise to the first team at a Super League club is still hard to believe. “When I came back for Christmas I wasn’t sure whether I was going to focus on soccer or football this year. I played football at the start of last year, then after the Football Superstar starting playing soccer again in the amateurs. When I
came back to Mount Gambier in late October everybody was talking about The Round
Ball program and how good it was so I got in touch with Scott and asked him if I could come out for a look” said Thomas.
“When Thomas called me I was delighted as we have always rated Thomas. He is a natural leader and we thought he could help some of our younger player’s develop.” said Scott Dickson CEO of Mount Gambier based community soccer program The Round Ball. “Over the weeks Thomas started to grow in confidence and stature and after a visit from Ante Skoko, Josip’s brother he was invited to train with North Geelong Warriors, the side that signed Cameron Hart last year who compete in the
Victorian Premier League Division 1. He did well in Geelong however as he is halfway through his course it didn’t really suit his direction. When he returned we met
and set goals for his development this year and I contacted a close coaching
colleague in Adelaide who is at Galaxy.”
The rest happened very quickly with goals in reserve fixtures, starring in internal trial games and sitting on the bench for the first team.
“Last week Thomas was called up to the first team for the Preseason
cup trip to play Marden Blue Eagles and we are very proud of how he is
going. I am in regular contact with representatives from the club and his family and we are keen to go up for his league debut when that happens.” Added Dickson.
Adelaide Galaxy senior coach Carl Maynard is full of praise for the new
recruit, “we have had a close look at Thomas in the reserves and he has
done very well, so we thought we would give him a run in the first team.
After a bit of a slow start he did very well. Technically he is very good
and he started in the first team against Blue Eagles. He is doing well at the moment and if he continues to impress he may well get an opportunity in the first team during the regular season. We are very happy with him and hope he can maintain the good form that he has shown so far.”
‘Scott has been fantastic in his support of Thomas”, said Tony Renzi,
Thomas’s father. “He has really turned the corner with his soccer. Since
being part of The Round Ball program he has regained his focus and is
really committed to improving his skills and getting fitter. I can’t speak
more highly of the impact this program has had on my son”
“Our ambitions have always been to strive for excellence. Thomas is the
second player in the past 6 months that has graduated from our program and
is now playing football at a high level. We are keen to help any player
who would like to achieve the true potential. I have no doub't Thomas will succeed if he is committed to working hard.” Dickson concluded.
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