Once every four years, the biggest game in the world gets even bigger.
The FIFA World Cup attracts more viewers than the Olympics, and will be the cause of many late nights across the country as we watch our Socceroos compete in Russia – the hosts of this year’s finals.
In the multicultural west of Melbourne, the game is bigger than ever, with local clubs growing strongly and preparing for a month-long celebration of football.
Sunshine George Cross president Jamie Chetcuti said the excitement was building at his club as the countdown was on.
“Every four years it’s a very exciting time for the whole country, not just for our club,” Mr Chetcuti said.
“It’s the biggest sport in the world, so as soon as the World Cup starts there’s an extra 200,000 kids in Australia who want to play our game. So it keeps the game growing.
“Over the four weeks that the finals are on you definitely feel the excitement around, bigger crowds at our senior games. We’ll do some watch parties for our members which will be great fun.”
Sunshine George Cross has a rich history when it comes to contributing to the national team, with former Socceroos Kevin Muscat, Craig Foster and John Markovski all spending time at the club.
Andrew Nabbout – who is in the Socceroos preliminary 26-man squad for this year’s tournament – spent three years at the club from 2009-11, and Mr Chetcuti said the club was proud to see another of their own in the national set-up.
“We’ve always contributed players to the national side, so we’re very proud to see Andrew getting his chance to hopefully compete on the biggest stage,” he said.
“He’s been one of the best A-League players over the course of the season, and now he’s got a contract overseas, so it’s exciting for him and we’ll be cheering him on if he makes the final squad.”
St Albans Saints know the thrill of seeing one of their own go on to great things, with former player Ivan Franjic part of the starting XI for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Franjic played his first senior games at the Saints, before moving up the ranks to the A-League and eventually making his Australian debut in 2012.
While Franjic won’t be competing in this year’s tournament, Saints president Marc Maric said the 2014 World Cup was a huge moment for his club.
“That got a lot of people really excited,” Mr Maric said.
“Everyone kept a keen eye on that one, and then when he came back to the club we had a night where all the juniors could come and get around him, which was fantastic for the club. He’s our current number one ticket holder … not many clubs can say they have a World Cup player in that position, which is pretty cool.”
The Saints have a rich history in Australia’s Croatian community, after it was established by Croatian migrants in 1975.
Mr Maric said there would be a keen interest in the fortunes of both Australia and Croatia in Russia.
Green Gully SC also has a strong fingerprint on the current squad, with Nabbout and fellow squad member Aziz Behich both playing for the club in the past.
Club president Dennis Venes said the club was always proud to see former players in green and gold, and the World Cup was a chance to join together with the wider community to celebrate the game.
“We’re very proud of the fact we’ve got two former players in the current squad, so the club is a good breeding ground for the A-League and the Socceroos,” Mr Venes said.
“We’re anticipating a resurgence in interest in the game after the World Cup, and especially at our junior trials later in the year, where last year we had over 600 kids trial with us. That will be bigger again we think.”
Green Gully plans to show Socceroos games and other big matches on the club’s big screen throughout the tournament.
