Pedj Bojic and Brendan Gan praise TeleChoice Premier League
The pair were special guests at the lavish affair which involved all 12 TeleChoice Premier League clubs as well as all sections of the media which included local Fairfax and Cumberland press, SBS, Community media personnel and various radio station outlets.
Both players were part of the TeleChoice Premier League set-up as the pair wore the colours of the Sutherland Sharks in the 2008 campaign which saw the Shire based outfit take out the Premiership under former coach Brian Brown.
Bojic stated that there was a number of talented players coming through the TeleChoice Premier League system and believed more were to come for the new season and beyond.
?You only have to look at the amount of players that made the step-up from the TeleChoice Premier League to the A-League this season, even at National Youth League level.
?I think there were 15 players that made that transition which was huge.
?The TeleChoice Premier League is a great breeding ground for talented players coming through the system and working their way up to the top.?
Gan was equally praising the competition stating that it was the TeleChoice Premier League that kick started his professional football career.
?I believe that it was the good season I had with the Sutherland Sharks in the TeleChoice Premier League that pushed me in getting noticed from A-League clubs.
?Playing week in week out amongst a number of quality players and learning off a number of experienced stars really assisted in my game.
?I am delighted to have been part of the set-up and I know one day I will like to come back and do it all again.?
Bojic had a standout 2008 TeleChoice Premier League season after the Mariners star was voted as the best defender via the Football NSW journalists and was picked for the inaugural TeleChoice Premier League All-Star team.
The 24-year-old has been one of Lawrie McKinna?s essential players having taken part in 21 matches for the Mariners in 2009. Bojic?s next assignment in his two-year deal with the Mariners is the Asian Champions League.
Gan equally had a tremendous 2008 season and not only was he picked for the inaugural TeleChoice Premier League All-Star team, but he also grabbed the honours of being awarded the 2008 Gold Medal for the best and most consistent player in the competition.
The 20-year-old initially signed a National Youth League contract with Sydney FC but due to the amount of injuries that piled up for the sky blues, Gan was given match time in the senior squad. The Shire resident?s rise to fame was when he scored Sydney FC?s winner coming on as substitute in only his second match of the year in their 2-1 victory over the Newcastle Jets. Having impressed on the occasions he came on for the senior team as well as the National Youth League side, Gan was given a two-year deal.
-By Mark Stavroulakis
