Goulburn Valley Suns junior Lucas Cirillo is a state champion, with the 13-year-old youngster playing a key role in the under-14 Victorian state soccer championships in late April.
Cirillo, who plays under-14s with the Suns, was part of a regional Talent Identification Centre (TIDC) team that participated in and won the under-14 state soccer championships in Melbourne.
The only boy from Shepparton in the under-14 team, Cirillo flew the flag well, putting in some great shifts as the side took on some of Victoria’s best.
He said it was a good feeling to take out the title.
“I felt like I was part of a pretty good team,” Cirillo said.
“It felt pretty good to be one of the only people in Shepparton to be there and around these other people that are really good at soccer.”
Cirillo said it was difficult being in the challenging environment of the tournament, with the state championships the next level of soccer.
“It felt good because last year we worked really hard and this year we’ve just shown the metro kids that we could do better and aren’t just country boys and it would mean something,” he said.
“They’re very good teams, like the teams that we’re going to play against, and being in touch with them is good.
“I feel like we all knew each other and we just had a connection and we all knew each other’s path.”
Cirillo said he had high aspirations for his career and was full of praise for the Goulburn Valley Suns, with Alou and Garang Kuol proving the transition to the professional level could be achieved.
He said he appreciated the efforts of all his coaches during his time at the club, with the time they put in not going unnoticed.
“I’m striving to go to the top. I want to go as high as I can and I’m not going to back off,” Cirillo said.
“I feel like because they’re (Alou and Garang) in now, I have a chance. I feel like we have a good chance at the Suns, that we can be a good development club and players can go on to the A-League and higher.
“I feel like we’re building, building with good coaches.”
With the regional side runner-up last year and metro Melbourne teams always strong, it is a big achievement for the regional side to take out the title.
Along with Cirillo, there were a number of other players from the GV Suns at the championships, with Joesph La Gamba in the under-13s, Dante Mori in the under-16s and Gerald Corbo, Reece Reedy and Hassan Alhilfi all participating in their respective age groups.
This large contingent of local players is a credit to the Suns’ junior setup, with the club continuing to help young players progress their skills.
Tommy Giuliani, who is involved with the TIDC, said the state tournament, which had replaced the national championships due to the COVID-19 pandemic, remained the most important soccer pathway available for regional players.
“I’ve coached Lucas at previous camps, last year at Darebin, and I think he’s the best 13-year-old in this area. I’ve got a really high regard for Lucas,” Giuliani said.
“If the national championships resume this year, I would bet that he’d be the next Suns player to represent Victoria.”
The future certainly is bright for Cirillo, and with the TIDC side taking on A-League youth teams in ‘elite’ matches, there will be plenty of opportunities for the youngster to shine in the coming months.