Robbie Slater Honoured
The inaugural ?Robbie Slater Man of the Match? award as it is affectionately known was instigated to honour to the tough tackling attacking midfielder as he has spent his early years developing as a footballer in NSW before trekking off overseas where he represented Australia 28 times.
?I?ve got a huge history in NSW especially as a footballer.
?I grew up in the Bankstown area and commenced my career as footballer with the Revesby Rovers and Revesby Workers before moving to Panania RSL then onto Auburn.
?Soon after that I played almost 100 matches for the St George Saints then went to the Blacktown City Demons and Sydney United in the old National League before I left for Belgium.
?So you could certainly say that I spent my early life developing as a footballer in NSW, so to receive such an accolade was a huge honour indeed.?
Born in Lancashire, England, the 44-year-old was delighted to have been given this honour by Football NSW as Slater holds a high regard for the TeleChoice Premier League.
?As I said earlier it?s a huge honour and quite humbling really to have been thought of for this.
?In my opinion the TeleChoice Premier League has developed a number of current A-League stars who have gone onto play higher whether it be abroad or for the Socceroos.
?There has also been a huge influx of players that have signed for National Youth League clubs so the development cycle is certainly working.
?The competition itself has evolved in many ways. A number of the clubs taking part in the TeleChoice Premier League were involved in the old National Soccer League but I really believe that these clubs have played a huge role in way the Australian game has progressed today.
?In my opinion the TeleChoice Premier League has been seen as a pathway to the top for our many elite footballers at the present moment and is certainly an important t competition in Australia.?
The ?Robbie Slater Man of the Match? award will be presented at the conclusion of the TeleChoice Premier League Grand Final.
-By Mark Stavroulakis
