Not quite a West Aussies Abroad - more one interstate - David Tarka has gone on to greater heights since making his debut for the Cockburn City first team as a 16-year old. Having taken up a scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport in January 2000, Tarak is well into his second year in Canberra and was recently appointed captain of the A.I.S. side that competes in the Northern Division of the National Youth League. This week we caught up with the now 18-year old to get an insight into his world ...

Could you give us a bit of a run-down on your career as a junior?
I began playing at Spearwood Dalmatinac - now Cockburn City - at the age of seven and moved to Fremantle United when I was in the Under-14's where I spent the rest of my junior career. During this time I played State Under-13's and 15's, but I had to withdraw from the Under-15's national championships a week before the event due to an injury. At 16 I re-joined Cockburn City where I played one game in the reserves, then for the rest of the 1999 season was under Gerry Christie in the first team where I played as a left winger. During that season I made the Australian Under-20's Schoolboys team after competing in the national schoolboy championships in Canberra that August. I chose not to play for the state Under-16's team as I thought Schoolboys would be a greater challenge and could offer better exposure.

And that lead to a place in the Australian touring side at the end of the ... where did you travel to and how was the tour?
We travelled to England, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales, playing 10 games along the way against their national schoolboys sides. We also played a mixed Manchester United Under-17's and 19's drawing 3-3 and we beat Fulham Under-19's 3-1. Out of the ten games we won 5, drew 4, and lost just 1.

What was that experience like?
The experience was excellent as I could rate myself as to where I stood, as a player on an international level. I think the youth of Australia are better developed than the youth of U.K. but as we get older we don't have the senior leagues to further our development therefore we see a lot of the youth leaving Australia in search for the greater competition.

After the tour you were asked to try out for the AIS. How did that come about?
The A.I.S. were after a left-sided player, and the 2000 intake were those born in 1983. I was the only '83 in the Australian Schoolboys team, they where interested and invited me for a trial in January 2000. After going through a series of testing 20-metre sprints, shuttle runs and vertical jumps, I'd done enough to impress and coach Steve O'Connor awarded me a scholarship.

Was there any hesitation in your mind about leaving your family in Perth to set up camp on the other side of the country to pursue your footballing dream?
As soon as I was told that I received a scholarship at the A.I.S. the coach told me my flight was booked for the morning after. So I didn't have time for it to settle in - that I was moving away from family and home realising that it was for good. It happened so quickly and I had to adjust, but if you want to further your footballing career you must learn to get out of your comfort zones on and off the park. It makes you mentally stronger and a better player.

Give us a typical day in the life of someone in the football program at the A.I.S.? My Tuesday starts with weights from 6.30-7.30am, then it's an individual session with the coach between 10.00 and 11.00am. Off to work from 11.00-2.00pm, then back to train with team between 4.30-6.30pm. I have the evenings off - last year I had study hall from 7.30-9.30pm because I was at school, but now I don't go to school.

Where do you live in Canberra?
I live in residence on site with all the other athletes. We have a room each with a sink and fridge, there's a bathroom between shared between three players - it's alright - I pick up a lot of life skills having to do things myself.

Are you the only boy from Perth there?
I was the only Perth boy here all last year until Anthony Danze from Perth Glory received a scholarship a couple of weeks ago, which is good to have someone to talk to about home.

What do you do at the A.I.S. ... are you required to attend school as well as concentrate on football?
I finished year twelve last year, which was a lot harder juggling school and football but now I work 15-hours a week at the Australian Sports Commission in Publications. It's good to get a bit of spending money, not having to keep scabbing of my parents!! I also have much more free time to spend in the indoor and gym working on things.

How often do you train? What is the weekly routine, on what days do you train and play?
We train every afternoon and have weights on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. We play on the weekend in the National Youth League which is a good competition because you're allowed four over-age players in the squad, so when we play teams like Marconi, Olympic, Spirit and Parramatta - teams with big first grade squads - there's always first graders playing who missed out on the weekend. This is good for experience and prepares you for the N.S.L.

What's the overall set-up like?
The set-up is first class. The soccer program has an indoor synthetic, an outdoor synthetic, four outdoor playing fields and shooting boxes. We have also have access to all the facilities at the A.I.S. including the swimming pool, gym, spa, doctors, physios, masseurs, etc.

I believe you were originally offered a one-year deal at the AIS and recently that was extended to a second year. From your point of view, how did your first 12 months in Canberra go?
The first 12 months for me was a huge learning phase. Coming from the W.A. State League, where it's really about strength and fitness which is good whilst your young but it's a bit like "kick the young one", here we're are taught how to play at international level, it's all about the process. We constantly practice different scenarios in tight situations, always keeping possession. We are taught that if you can keep possession in tight situations and, never loose possession then you can play anywhere in the world. When I watch Ljubo Milicevic and Ivan Ergic I see them playing one two's, setting play up and I know they learnt it here. So you know that is doesn't change as you get higher up the scale.

Were you always hopeful of being offered to stay on for another year?
Yes, I was hoping to be offered another scholarship. Now I am familiar with how the coach wants me to play, and this year is about being consistent and making the most of the facilities. Every spare half an hour I get I want to be in the indoor working on things.

You are now the captain of the side from what I hear. How is this season going? How are the team performing? And what about yourself, how is your game coming along?
I was recently awarded the captaincy, which is excellent for me to develop leadership skills. This year there are six Joeys in the side whereas last year we only had five, so the older guys have got the responsibility of bringing the Joeys on quickly. I try but I must always remember what it was like for me when I first came in. The side is coming along well, we are currently 10 points clear on top of the table but Marconi have two games in hand, but that doesn't really concern us. We are about playing our own game, we never worry about who we are playing or who we are marking. If we play our game and do our jobs right and concentrating on the processes then we will win the game. My game is coming along well, I am happy with the way I have developed over the last 12 months and looking forward to becoming more consistent. I want a coach and teammates to know that I'll always give 100%, and that the minimum performance I would have in a game would be a good one ... and hopefully ripping out blinders every now and then!

What have been the highlights during your time at the A.I.S. to date?
The highlight so far was our trip to Italy. Last April we competed in a world club championship at Under-17's, but also allowing two over-age players. Our group consisted of Lazio, River Plate and Hit Nova, a Slovenian side. Other teams involved were Coventry, Inter, AC Milan and many others. We finished on top of our group beating Lazio 1-0, drawing with River Plate 0-0, and beating Hit Nova 5-0. We lost to Udinese in the quarter final 4-1, which we were very unlucky and wasn't as true reflection of the game. The football was excellent, it was another experience and the more experience I get can only make me better.

You've now been at the A.I.S. for just over 12 months, what do you feel are the benefits of being part of that program? And how does this differ from what you were experiencing in Perth?
The benefits are huge. I've learnt life skills, we've been taught professionalism, and what is expected of you at international level. The facilities are first class and the coaching is world class as you can judge by the amount of the Olympic squad that came through the institute - 75% of the players had scholarships here. W.A. needs to nurture their youth, linking with the A.I.S. Every state besides W.A. have acadamy's or institutes with soccer programs - W.A.I.S. needs one.

And where do you see yourself heading once you've completed your scholarship? Any plans to try your luck overseas, or are you looking to establish yourself in the NSL first?
I'm undecided whether to stay in Australia for a season or two before heading overseas, I think it's probably a better idea, but I haven't made up my mind.

Have you had any offers to date, either locally or from overseas?
I've had no offers as yet, but interest has been shown.

What about plans to play for Australia again one day?
Absolutely, that is my goal. I would love to represent my country, I am concentrating on being prepared for the next Under-20's World Cup in 2003.

Thanks for your time David, all the best with the A.I.S. side taking out the N.S.L. youth title. The job's half way there, hopefully you guys can go on with it with you at the helm ...
I hope so, that's the aim at the moment obviously ... and thanks for your interest, it's greatly appreciated.

Copyright Brett Klucznik, 2001. No part of this article may be reproduced without the prior content of it's author, Brett Klucznik (bklucznik@iprimus.com.au). Doing so would be a violation of copyright laws and regulations.