The latest confirmation of a GrassRoots club comes from none other than Australia's highest ever capped goalkeeper, Socceroo #397, Mark Schwarzer.
Mark was the first of 2 Socceroos to come out of the Colo Cougars club in the foothills of the Blue Mountains to Sydney's north west, the other being former FFA executive Luke Casserly. Mark started at McMahon Park in the under 7s but didn't find himself between the sticks until, out of necessity, his father stuck him there in the U10s. From there it was into the Nepean Rep system thence on to Marconi & the rest, as they say, is history.
Schwarzer made his debut off the bench against Canada following the dismissal of Robert Zabica in the 17th minute of a World Cup qualifier in 1993 and in the return leg in Sydney covered himself in glory with two fine saves in the tie deciding penalty shootout.
Mark was at the heart of a 4-way struggle with 3 other fine keepers in what must be Australia's golden period for goalkeeping, battling Mark Bosnich, Zjelko Kalac & John Filan for the #1 shirt.
Mark was the first of 2 Socceroos to come out of the Colo Cougars club in the foothills of the Blue Mountains to Sydney's north west, the other being former FFA executive Luke Casserly. Mark started at McMahon Park in the under 7s but didn't find himself between the sticks until, out of necessity, his father stuck him there in the U10s. From there it was into the Nepean Rep system thence on to Marconi & the rest, as they say, is history.
Schwarzer made his debut off the bench against Canada following the dismissal of Robert Zabica in the 17th minute of a World Cup qualifier in 1993 and in the return leg in Sydney covered himself in glory with two fine saves in the tie deciding penalty shootout.
Mark was at the heart of a 4-way struggle with 3 other fine keepers in what must be Australia's golden period for goalkeeping, battling Mark Bosnich, Zjelko Kalac & John Filan for the #1 shirt.
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