Tottenham Hotspurs may stumble upon another Harry Kewell or Tim Cahill in Wollongong.
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But the English Premier League giants’ player-development partnership with the University of Wollongong will provide even “greater benefits to the community and the game itself”.
That’s the view of Football South Coast chairman Eddy de Gabriele, who sees only “plusses and value” in the deal which will see UOW groom the next generation of Australian and international football talent.
Under the partnership announced on Wednesday, two FA-accredited Spurs’ coaches will lead a five-year player development program on UOW’s Wollongong campus.
“More than anything else it helps connect the global brand of the University of Wollongong with a EPL powerhouse,” Mr de Gabriele said.
“But it’s not only Spurs coming here and doing an academy. This is tied to an official program which will be accountable There will be KPI’s to ensure the program does what it is supposed to do.
“And it’s not just about the players. It’s about sport and education joined together by two of the best global brands you can get.
“The fact that footballers will get a degree or qualification for post-football life is a great added bonus.”
Mr de Gabriele added the footballing benefits for the region could also not be underestimated.
“To have world-class coaches from Spurs interacting with FSC academies, even in an informal basis, will provide so many opportunities for our upcoming talented footballers and our coaches,” he said.
“The beauty of it is that it goes from our program into Tottenham Hotspurs or even the A-League.
“If we get an A-League licence, be it the Wolves or Southern Expansion, you then have Spurs and an A-League team based in the region.
“It’s not too far fetched for them to develop a relationship similar to the one between Melbourne City and the City Group. Imagine having that in our backyard.”