FOOTBALL
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There is no doubt this six-day A-League All Stars camp has already been a success.
After watching Brisbane Roar's Matt Smith and Wellington's Albert Riera interact with local school students first-hand on Monday, it was obvious both the players and students were enjoying themselves.
Both were enthusiastic and willing to spend time with excited youngsters at Fairy Meadow Demonstration School and their approach has been mirrored by countless other All Star players over the past week.
If these are the top 20 players in the game in this country, they have done a commendable job representing the A-League brand and elite players in general.
After some conversations with the players it seems they, too, have enjoyed getting out of the big city centres and engaging with fans who don't usually get the opportunity to see players of their calibre.
Unfortunately, it will all end on Tuesday night with the A-League All Stars versus Young Socceroos at WIN Stadium. The match looks like a chance for the football-starved Illawarra public to finally catch a glimpse of Alessandro Del Piero.
After failing to take the field for a preseason match with Sydney FC last year, the superstar Italian looks poised to at least get some game time on Tuesday after training with the team on Monday.
It should be the perfect way to round out an already superb visit and is free of charge like the majority of the All Stars' other engagements over the six days.
The Illawarra got 6540 people to a preseason friendly between the Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC last year, so it would be great to reach that benchmark.