Rogic was one of eight winners of Nike’s inaugural ‘The Chance’ competition and our April 2011 issue charted the finals of the competition in England.

Nike’s revolutionary competition saw some 75,000 unsigned lads with nothing but a dream begin trialling in over 40 countries.

The first stages were to impress the Nike scouts and coaches enough to make it through local, regional, then national selection. At that point it got serious, with the 75,000 whittled down to the best 100 players worldwide.

It was then onto the final stage – a three-day trial in London with the 100 national winners in a global shootout to find the lucky eight winners.

Rogic was one of those eight and spent the following year playing in the Nike Academy in England. While in the Academy, the lucky winners form a team that travel Europe taking on some top sides.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW - SEE TOM TALKING ABOUT HIS CHANCE HERE NOW!

The program is designed to showcase the talent of these players to European clubs, with the aim getting as many of the players as possible snapped up by one of the clubs they challenge.

“My time at the Nike Academy was a great experience, very unique,” Rogic told Australian FourFourTwo.

“It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime type things and I’m just so glad I managed to experience it. I am now both a much better player and person from my time in the Nike Academy. The whole experience just opened my eyes to different styles and ways of football in England and the countries we travelled to across Europe.

“Some of things we did, I could never have done without the Nike Academy and I never thought I’d do in my life. We were travelling around Europe taking on these great sides like Inter Milan, Celtic and Genk in Belgium. Experiencing clubs and grounds like that was unreal.”

Since then, Rogic has returned home to ink a five-month deal with A-League leaders Central Coast Mariners, after a deal to English Championship side Reading was blocked by work permit complications.

In the A-League Rogic has excelled, showing some true class, especially in his first goal for the club – where he ran at the Melbourne Victory defence and fired the ball home.

“It is going great. I am really enjoying it,” says Rogic of life at the Mariners. “I’m just enjoying being a professional footballer. Everyday life and playing games is just so special.

"I’m playing well, but I still have a long way to go. I’m also still getting used to the A-League and playing regular matches.”

Rogic also spoke of his deep disappointment at missing out on his move to Reading, with his heart set on starting a career in England.

“When Reading didn’t eventuate though, I was able to come home for the Christmas break and the timing couldn’t have been better with the Mariners option popping up," said Rogic.

"Considering the way things have worked out, I can’t have too many complaints.”

Rogic is a success story that should inspire any young Aussie player. Especially considering that Nike’s ‘The Chance’ is back for 2012. Registration is open until 30 April via the Nike Football Facebook page – www.facebook.com/nikefootballau.

So to be in with a chance of following in the footsteps of Rogic and making your mark, what advice would last year’s winner offer?

“Give it a real go,” says Rogic. “At first I was perhaps a little cynical of Nike’s ‘The Chance’ programme, but it has been great for me and changed my entire life.

"I gave it my all to impress the judges and scouts. When you give it your all, you will have no regrets.”

Australian and New Zealand trials will take place across both countries in May, with three players from the Pacific region heading to the Barcelona-based Global Final in August. Head
to the Nike Facebook page, register for the Australian regional trials and take your Chance!