FourFourTwo has blown the travel budget once again to put a spotlight on the finest talents outside the Hyundai A-League. From Darwin to Perth, Melbourne to Queensland and even New Zealand and Oceania, we bring you some hidden gems desperate to impress in the A-League
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John Bennis
Club Broadmeadow Magic FC
League Northern New South Wales NBN State Football League
Position Midfielder
Age: 24
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If you want a fertile football breeding ground, look no further than NSW’s Hunter Valley.
Aussie football history is littered with men from the Hunter and local star John Bennis could be the next to make the step up.
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder is the fulcrum of the impressive Broadmeadow Magic side in the NBN State Football League. Coached by former NSL player Damien Smith, Bennis skippers the Red and Yellows and has scooped most of the club awards over the last few years.
He is a former member of the Hunter Academy of Sport and captained NNSW at the U15 talent IDs where he was selected as a train-on player in the Joeys. He then played National Youth League for the Newcastle Breakers and Newcastle United and was the Newcastle United Youth Player of the Year in 2001/2002.
“In 2006 I was captain of the NBN State Football League representative team that played against the Gold Coast and I was captain of the NNSW Futsal representative team at the National championships in Melbourne,” Bennis adds.
Bennis’s game has a creative edge and he distributes the football intelligently. Needless to say, the futsal background has helped.
So, why hasn’t he been picked up by an A-League side?
“I wanted to first secure my future by obtaining qualifications that at
the time didn’t allow me to pursue a full-time football career,” Bennis explains. “These qualifications have now been gained and I’m now hoping there is still an opportunity out there for me.”
However, the standard between the A-League and the state and regional leagues is widening as Jets coach Gary van Egmond knows full well.
“It’s tough for players outside the A-League as the gap is getting bigger. Maybe if someone like John came into the Jets camp he’d adjust to the physical side of being in an A-League side. Who knows? Now, it’s not just about ability.”
Well, there is only one way we’ll find out.
Club Broadmeadow Magic FC
League Northern New South Wales NBN State Football League
Position Midfielder
Age: 24
------------------------------------
If you want a fertile football breeding ground, look no further than NSW’s Hunter Valley.
Aussie football history is littered with men from the Hunter and local star John Bennis could be the next to make the step up.
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder is the fulcrum of the impressive Broadmeadow Magic side in the NBN State Football League. Coached by former NSL player Damien Smith, Bennis skippers the Red and Yellows and has scooped most of the club awards over the last few years.
He is a former member of the Hunter Academy of Sport and captained NNSW at the U15 talent IDs where he was selected as a train-on player in the Joeys. He then played National Youth League for the Newcastle Breakers and Newcastle United and was the Newcastle United Youth Player of the Year in 2001/2002.
“In 2006 I was captain of the NBN State Football League representative team that played against the Gold Coast and I was captain of the NNSW Futsal representative team at the National championships in Melbourne,” Bennis adds.
Bennis’s game has a creative edge and he distributes the football intelligently. Needless to say, the futsal background has helped.
So, why hasn’t he been picked up by an A-League side?
“I wanted to first secure my future by obtaining qualifications that at
the time didn’t allow me to pursue a full-time football career,” Bennis explains. “These qualifications have now been gained and I’m now hoping there is still an opportunity out there for me.”
However, the standard between the A-League and the state and regional leagues is widening as Jets coach Gary van Egmond knows full well.
“It’s tough for players outside the A-League as the gap is getting bigger. Maybe if someone like John came into the Jets camp he’d adjust to the physical side of being in an A-League side. Who knows? Now, it’s not just about ability.”
Well, there is only one way we’ll find out.
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