Tomasevic continues his football passion

Many footballers find it hard to leave the game they love when retirement dawns upon them and usually look to take some sort of a role within the sport.

These may include becoming board members or mentors, whereas most look to give their vast footballing knowledge to younger players coming up by becoming coaches.

Vuko Tomasevic, who has playing experience overseas in France, the NSL with Northern Spirit, in the A-League with the Central Coast Mariners and in the NPL NSW Mens 1 competition with the Bonnyrigg White Eagles, has taken a slightly different path.

The tough left back completed his Masters in Physiotherapy at Sydney University, in the mean time, juggling playing with the Mariners in the A-League.

“I look back and I still don’t know how I managed to finish my Masters and play in the A-League at the same time with the Mariners”.

He then went on to complete his Masters in Sports Physiotherapy at the la Trobe University in Melbourne.

Tomasevic left Australia in 2010, moving to the UK for work purposes.

“I worked in a specialist sports and musculoskeletal clinic in central London where I treated businessman, celebrities and professional athletes.”

Vuko felt that his career was over as a footballer and decided to dedicate his life to other things.

“Once we decided to move overseas I decided that I would concentrate on physiotherapy and spend more time with my beautiful wife. So I decided that that was it for football.”

“It was a great experience but we decided to return in late 2012 with a new edition to the Tomasevic clan, a young and healthy baby boy.”

He came back and played a season with the White Eagles, winning the grand final.

“When we came back to Sydney I felt like I was missing something, it is a different life here in Sydney compared to overseas and putting on the boots again felt right.”

“I was fortunate enough to be a part of a strong Bonnyrigg team who went on to win the grand final.”

It was the perfect footballing fairytale as Tomasevic this time decided to really hang the boots up.

“Physically I felt great following the grand final, I definitely felt like I could keep playing for a few more years. However, mentally I felt like it was time to move on and start my own sports physiotherapy clinic and share my experience to the public.”

The club stayed loyal to Tomasevic, giving him a place at the club as the head physiotherapist for the 2014 season. Vuko’s popular face at Bonnyrigg Sports ground can still be seen, as he now sits alongside Brian ‘Bomber’ Brown and Cliff Pointer on the bench. 

“I am grateful to Bonnyrigg for giving me the opportunity to be the club physiotherapist and help keep their players on the pitch.”

Vuko now runs his own physiotherapist clinic and attempts to bring his knowledge and experience to others in hope of making them feel better.

“I started Aspire physiotherapy and sports injury clinic in December last year, we are based in Liverpool.”

“I aspire to get people better, whether it is improving your performance by improving the way you move, help you get over your injury or help in your recovery from an operation.”

Tomasevic takes on a different approach to some as he aims to increase your well-being.

“I prescribe specific exercises and create a specific rehabilitation plan for each individual, depending on their deficits and injuries.”

Like many after their careers, Tomasevic finds it difficult to sit on the sidelines.

“I love football and that is why I want to stay part of it. I do miss playing, especially game day and sometimes I just wish I could put the boots back on.” 

-By Nikola Pozder