In Deep With Nick Rizzo Part 1

Throughout his playing career, presently at Sydney Tigers in the Telechoice Premier League, Rizzo has distinguished himself and is a highly respected player amongst his peers but home life is a very important component: ?It?s the first time in 14-years that I have not been a full-time professional footballer so if I?m not training with the Tigers I am usually doing extra training sessions or spending time with my wife (Ilana) and daughter (Chiara who is just 10-months old and already a Rizzo handful) which is quite strange really.

?I?m used to training a couple of times a day when I played overseas and here in the A-League so I haven?t had any other job to be honest.

?What it has done is to focus my attention on what I want to do after football, not that I?m thinking of hanging up the boots just yet as I feel I still have a great deal to offer and would love another crack in the A-League, so in time honoured fashion I am looking at doing the relevant coaching courses etc. and see if that is where I want to head.?

At just 30-years of age he still has time on his hands and for a midfielder is only just reaching his peak so what was it that brought him back to Australia from abroad? ?Perth Glory were constantly showing interest in me and persisted in their interest which piqued mine.

?I came back and spent two years with them and I am hungry for more A-League action after my contract with them expired as I believe I have what it takes to do it in that league.?

Preferring the attacking or central midfield role, Rizzo has hit the heights but also the lows as three seasons overseas saw no football thanks to a serious knee injury that practically kept him sidelined: ?That was the most frustrating time in my 14-years as a professional player.

?No-one likes being injured as you always want to get out there and play but when it is taken away from you and you have to make a slow recovery it seems like an eternity which, let?s face it, three years out of the game certainly is but it makes you come back stronger, fitter and with greater desire.

?Between the ages of 21 and 24-years, when I was in Italy in the Serie B, was that period and isn?t something I want to repeat so you can never take being a player for granted.?

In part two we?ll look at the clubs and players when overseas.

– By Micky Brock