North Geelong Warriors’ director of football and former Socceroos great Josip Skoko admits he is excited that two club youth products have won contracts to play professionally in Croatia.
One happens to be his 19-year-old son, Luka Skoko, who won a contract with Druga HNL (Croatian second division) club Dugopolje.
The other is another 19-year-old in Nicholas Volarevic, who will play for Primorac Stobrec in the Treća HNL (third division).
The two childhood teammates went over to Croatia to trial recently and have impressed scouts, earning a chance to fulfil their ambition of becoming professional footballers.
Both Skoko Jr and Volarevic have grown up at Elcho Park, coming through the Warriors’ local community team the Elcho Park Cardinals, before joining North Geelong’s excellent NPL youth program.
Skoko admits that it is a dream come true for Luka, who along with younger brother Noa, has long held an ambition of emulating his famous father by playing professionally in Europe.
“I think I am excited mostly because him (Luka) and his brother have been full on for years, they have loved the game and wanted to do that bit extra and the goal was always at some stage to try and make it professionally,” said a proud Skoko, who played over 400 club games in Australia, Belgium, Turkey, England and of course, Croatia.
“For Nicholas it’s also a wonderful opportunity after he came on strong at the end of last year. He scored a few goals including a winner against Werribee at the end of the season. He was part of the seniors all year long.
“He showed potential and he wanted the chance to go somewhere different. He has got himself an opportunity now to show himself and progress through the ranks, and he may now well have a professional a career.”
Skoko admits it was clear to him that going to Europe was the best pathway at the moment for both players.
“Especially over the last two or three years it’s become clear Australia isn’t a number one footballing country, so you are limited with games and training sessions. The system isn’t set up right here,” explained Skoko.
“If you want to go to the next level, apart from the A-League, it is very difficult and you have to chisel your own path.”
When it came to his son, Skoko admits he encouraged Luka to make it in the North Geelong Warriors’ senior NPL2 team before trying out overseas. Young Luka duly delivered, winning the senior’s best and fairest award in 2021.
After two COVID-interrupted years in Victoria, and considering Luka’s performances, Skoko believed the timing was right for him to go abroad.
(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
“For us it was about timing, I said to Luka there is no point going overseas if you can’t play at North Geelong in the senior team and do well,” said Skoko. “That was one of the boxes he ticked over the last 18 months.
“Especially with the limited number of games in the NPL2 and especially in recent years due to COVID, we thought it was time.
“It’s exciting as he is now in an environment where he can train with his club every day and can do additional sessions if he wants. It’s easier to access because everything is tailored to football over there.
“It should give him a chance and if he works hard over the next two or three years, it gives him an opportunity to make something of himself.”
Luka will start by training with the under-19 team at Dugopolje, who play in a Croatia-wide under-19s competition. Volarevic will also initially play for the youth team at Primorac Stobrec.
The Warriors at some stage will get financial compensation for both players, per FIFA rules, if they make it at a senior level at any professional club.
While Luka and Volarevic may have gone overseas with his blessing, Skoko encouraged Australian footballing authorities to make a national second tier work here, to give youngsters a better pathway to becoming professional footballers.
“We have called for a national second division for years, the best playing against the best, whether it’s juniors or seniors, it’s the only way to get it,” insists Skoko. “Having a national second division improves the standard.
“We can break it up into a couple of states in Australia as we are very specific here, so you have to think outside the box.
“I think everyone has agreed a national second division will allow the young boys to have a better opportunity to play. There are not many 17-19 year olds playing in the A-League.
“A national second tier will open up opportunities for more teenagers, if there is 10 at the moment, we can have 30 with a second tier.
“I think they do it overseas in the second division in Croatia where you have to have three players aged 21 or less. They are always looking for young players who can make it.
“Something like that here would encourage and motivate kids to keep at it and work hard.”
North Geelong have had a few youth products make it to professional clubs in recent years. Anthony Leban was recently part of Melbourne Victory’s successful FFA Cup run, while Angus Chapman is doing well at English Championship side Barnsley.
The success of these players continues a long held tradition at the Warriors of producing professional and international stars.
Players like Skoko himself, Steve Horvat, Laura Spiranovic, Matthew Spiranovic, Joey Didulica, Adrian Cervinski, David Cervinski and Ante Cicak have all come through the production line at Elcho Park.
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