Daniel Clifford is blazing an academic trail

The tall 23 year-old is his second season with the club after playing a season with Parramatta Melita and the two previous seasons with St George.
Under the guidance of the A.P.I.A. management team, Clifford is consistently playing good football.
?This is an extremely positive work environment to be in,? he said. ?They [John Romeo, Mark Brady and Tony Raciti] are always helpful and always willing to give the younger guys a go.?
For Clifford, who played his junior football with Bankstown City and St George, the frustration with A.P.I.A. Leichhardt in the TeleChoice Premier League is the lack of consistency week-in and week-out.
?This season has been a very interesting season for us because we are just trying to find some consistency,? he said. ?The effort is there every week ? which is a very good thing – so we are just trying to find some form on a regular basis?.
As a student Clifford has excelled. He recently completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Marketing and Organisational Psychology at Macquarie University.
Not content with that Clifford is currently undertaking studies with the Sydney Graduate School of Management where he hopes to complete the prestigious MBA course.
As studies take priority for Clifford it means that football must fit into the rest of his life. However, that doesn?t mean he is not ambitious in the game.
Clifford, who can play any position in defence, categorically stated that he would like to play at the highest level possible and would relish the opportunity.
?I want to finish my studies first and foremost, but whatever comes about football wise would be great,? he said.
?Obviously it?s every player?s ambition to play as high as you can and if something came up – be that the A-League or whatever – it would be fantastic.?
by Joe Russo