Brendan Gan – living the dream

The teenager has blossomed under the astute coaching of Brian ?Bomber? Brown, whose team remains undefeated after nine rounds of the Telechoice Premier League.
?I am really enjoying my football, I am learning all the time and playing with guys who have a vast amount of experience which helps,? he said.
?Blokes like Jim Bakis, Shane Lyons and George Souris have played at an elite level for a long time and I am always picking their brains to try and make myself a better player.?
Gan compliments his football by studying business at the University of Wollongong.
?Being at uni gives me an opportunity to focus on other things and gives me a balance which I think is very important.
?I would love to make a career out of football but it can?t hurt having some qualifications behind me as a back up.?
He credits his father as being the biggest influence on his career, recalling as a youngster how the two spent countless hours together fine tuning his skills.
?Dad was always keen to take me down to the local park for a kick around and even though it was a while ago it seems like yesterday,? he said.
?I am an attack orientated player but he always told me to work on my defence so I could offer more to the team I was playing in.
?I am lucky to have Dave Huxley sitting behind me playing defensive midfield so I know I can surge forward if we are in their defensive third.
?We have built our success on playing for each other with a high degree of intensity and the fact that we are all mates off the field makes it that bit more enjoyable.?
Gan believes Sydney Olympic and league leaders Manly United are the two squads that pose the biggest threat to Sutherland?s quest for silverware in 2008.
?I am surprised to see Olympic sitting mid-table, they are a very good team who we got a good look at first hand in the Johnny Warren Cup Final and once already in the league.
?You would expect them to make some serious inroads in the second part of the season if they get a roll on and along with Manly United look the team to beat.?
Gan has desires to play at the highest level possible but realises he has time on his side.
?I don?t set long term plans – my focus is all about playing consistent football week in, week out,? he said.
?I would love to play abroad or in the A-League but I can see plenty of areas for improvement in my game? I am in good hands when it comes to the coaching staff and my team-mates so all I can do is keep working hard and just see what happens.”