When Maribyrnong Sports Academy Alumni Connor Metcalfe looks back at 2021 in his history book, June and July will stand out as being 2 of the most amazing months of his professional football career.
For in the space of 60 days Connor will have debuted for his country as a Socceroo in the World Cup qualifiers, have won an A-League title for his club Melbourne City, been named in the Players Association A-League team of the year and played at the Olympics in Tokyo as an Olyroo.
It’s an amazing rise to the top for Connor who always showed potential throughout his day at MSA according to Football head coach Adrian Mazzarella, “ From day 1, Connor was exceptional. Aside from being technically and tactically advanced. His determination to improve was outstanding. It was evident on the pitch, in the gym and with the extra’s he did on his rest days.”
Connor was nominated for a Sporting Blue award with School Sport Victoria back in 2013. His nomination was as follows:
Connor Metcalfe had a remarkable year in 2013. Joining the Maribyrnong Sports Academy football from Newcastle, Connor (13) already exudes leadership qualities and skills beyond his age.
At the recent Bill Turner Cup tournament, Connor was integral to the success of the Maribyrnong College who finished fourth out of 500+ schools from around the country.
After being a standout player for Victoria at the 2013 FFA National Youth Championships, Connor continued to work hard to improve his game and last month was rewarded with a National Training Centre scholarship (NTC) for his efforts, making him one of the youngest in the history of the program to be offered a scholarship.
To go with the Sports Academy standards of a student-athlete, Connor has been a strong student academically and he displays the behavioural traits to be a considerate and polite student. In a sporting sense, it is clear that beyond the warmth of Connor's character lies an inner determination to succeed.
On behalf of all at MSA we are so proud to see Connor make it into the Australian National and Olympic teams and congratulate him on becoming the 5th Maribyrnong Sports Academy Student in this year’s 2021 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. He joins Cyclist Lucas Plapp, Badminton player Gronya Somerville, Taekwondo star Reba Stewart and Table Tennis Paralympian Nathan Pellissier.