It has been a very exciting couple of weeks for Ben Kantarovski coming off the frustration of A-League Version 4.
Gearing
up for the upcoming Asian Champions League competition has been a
welcome distraction. Ben was a bright spot on an A-league season that
most Novocastrian's wouldn't mind forgetting, especially after having
the Jets win the Grand Final the year before. At 17 Benny was one of
the youngest players in the A-League and most consistent players on the
park. Playing nearly all positions in the back four and midfield, Benny
missed many games in the season due to Australian Representative
commitments for the U17's and Joeys, still Benny was honored by the
Jets by not only claiming the "Rising Star" award but also the "Player
of the Year'.
After receiving that
news, a few days later Benny received a call to come train with the
Socceroos. Named in the training squad it was made clear that Benny
would not be eligible for the final 18. The camp instead would serve as
an extra opportunity for development and serve him better for the
experience. Benny is also the first graduate of the Johnny Warren
Foundation to have been selected for the Socceroos.
And
if things could not seem to get better, in Today's Newcastle Herald
(1.3.09) Political Cartoonist Peter Lewis has saluted Benny's Socceroo
milestone in the illustration below.
