Alex Cisak has hung up his boots and set up his own academy to help provide more opportunities for young players in his home state of Tasmania.
Cisak believes there is room for improvement in youth coaching in the Apple Isle.
“Obviously with no A-League team to have a goal of sigming for in Tasmania, it makes the pathway for younger players harder, so that’s something hopefully in the short to medium term can change,” he said.
“I would love to see Tasmanians playing for the Socceroos or Matildas - that’s my ultimate goal. If I can help the football down here I would be delighted.”
Cisak played five times for the Young Socceroos and was called into the senior national team squad for two World Cup qualifiers in 2015.
The keeper is a supporter of a new national second division in Australia, with promotion and relegation apart of it, and believes it would help the production line of talent.
“For me, Australia needs two divisions with relegation and promotion,” he said.
“And it needs a bigger aim on youth player development, there’s not enough games at youth level, which is a big minus. I also think the AIS should come back.
"I didn’t to opportunity to go there, because I went to England as a teenager, but looking at the track record it shows it develops talented players.”
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