Courtesy: The Recorder


Star soccer player visits John Pirie

by Monica O'Shea

June 27, 2013

A well-known soccer player taught John Pirie Secondary School students foot and life skills on Friday.

Cristiano dos Santos, a former Adelaide United player, showed students the game of Futsal in a coaching session in the gym.

Cristiano, as he likes to be known, found the Port Pirie students very skilled at soccer.

“In most of the schools, there is a big difference between the kids,” he said.

“In this case, there wasn’t a difference.”

He said there is “always talent” in country areas.

John Pirie Secondary School principal Roger Nottage told students he is very keen to promote soccer at the school.

“We are all about excellence,” he said.

“This is not about average.”

Cristiano, a 32-year-old Brazilian, said the highlight of his career was scoring a goal for Adelaide United in the Champions League against Japan.

“I scored the most beautiful goal in the competition,” he said.

He is currently working for the Football Federation of South Australia in a role that has a specific focus on regional areas. Futsal is a modified game of soccer where there are five players on a team and the game is played indoors.

“It comes back to two words - foot and soul,” Cristiano told students.

He told students how back in Brazil, where he came from, he would “play, play play” on the streets.

“You don’t need a coach for that,” he said.

“You do it yourself.”

Christiano asked students what they want to be when they grow up and urged them to follow their dreams.

“Don’t stay home in front of the computer and playstation,” he said.

“Don’t forget what you who be.” .

The John Pirie Secondary School team plays in the U17 soccer competition.






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com