At the mid-season transfer window, a young Stefano Valentini stepped off the plane at Melbourne Airport to start the next chapter in his football journey. His destination was the South Melbourne FC Under 20s and Lakeside Stadium, however a whirlwind few months would soon see him reach new heights, debuting in the National Youth League.
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A Perth local, Valentini gained his experience in the Western Australian NPL with Balcatta FC. His attacking prowess was on show early in 2014 where he netted 12 goals in 12 matches to start off the season. Looking for the next challenge, he packed his bags and travelled to Melbourne, landing himself at South Melbourne FC.
“I’ve played for Balcatta for a while now and it was hard leaving them to go to South but I had to make the move” Valentini said.
He celebrated his 18th birthday in mid-July and just two days later faced off for his new club against Dandenong City in the NPL Victoria Under 18s. It was a dominating performance by the South Melbourne line-up and Valentini certainly put his name forward for promotion to the Under 20s by recording a very classy hat-trick on the way to a 6-2 win.
In only two weeks, Valentini found himself on the bench for the Under 20s as a result of his strong performances. His efforts up front in his established role as a winger was being noticed. Towards the end of his first month in Melbourne, Valentini stepped on to the South Melbourne fortress that is Lakeside Stadium for the first time. Coming off the bench in the 23rd minute to replace an injured player, the new kid on the block had the opportunity to stand out in front of the home crowd and Senior coach Christ Taylor.
Valentini settled well during the first half and really turned it on after the break. His first goal came off a set play, heading in a corner kick, and his second was a tap in off the back of a stunning run from now Melbourne City Youth speedster Stefan Zinni. Valentini wasn’t done as he made his own run down the right on the counter attack and setup South Melbourne’s fifth goal for the match over Werribee City.
The fledgling’s performance earned him man of the match and speaking to smfc.com.au after the match he said “it was very good, we worked hard again and we deserved it. We scored five goals and we are scoring a lot every game. Our counter-attacking football is just brilliant, the transitions and defensive work, everyone is working as a team”.
Valentini’s work ethic and finishing earned the trust and praise of Under 20s coach Sasa Kolman to the extent he found himself now in the starting eleven, a position he would hold for the remainder of the season. Valentini would end up playing in eight of the ten rounds as part of the South Melbourne Under 20s squad. The youngster reflected positively on his visit to the Victorian league stating “the Victorian league is much better than in WA. There is a lot more young talent compared to Perth. In Perth there is young talent but in Victoria there is a lot of outstanding players.”
Looking back at his ten matches with South Melbourne, Valentini speaks highly of the professionalism of the club, his team mates and the staff around him. Most importantly was the change in playing style he experienced with the club, the variety, adaptability and depth coach Sasa Kolman instilled into the young player.
“I went to South as a winger and that’s all I was. Sasa as coach put me in some different positions on the pitch and I am now more of a striker but I can play anywhere up front.”
Returning to Perth a week after the last match of the season, the football year was far from over for Valentini. He immediately joined the squad for the Perth Glory Youth team. He found himself taking his fitness and training program to the next level, training five to six times a week. A lot of hard work came week in week out to get himself ready to play at the higher level.
The Football West Awards for 2014 came around with the annual black tie event taking place at Crown Perth’s Grand Ballroom in mid-October. Valentini was comfortable being among the best-of-the-best in Western Australian football but even he was surprised when he was named as the WA NPL Under 20 Player of the Year. The youngster was full of praise for his time at Balcatta FC talking to the Stirling Times about his award saying “I loved every minute playing for Balcatta, I had a tough start and the coaches got me through it and I started to perform. I wouldn’t have been able to do it if it wasn’t for my coaches”.
His talent and commitment was rewarded yet again at the Glory Youth and just a few days before Christmas, it was no surprise to see Valentini return to Melbourne, this time wearing the purple kit. He made his debut in the NYLon 21st December coming off the bench against Melbourne City at La Trobe University. Whilst Melbourne City would win the match 2-1, Valentini got his first taste playing at the higher level admitting “it was a good out there, it was hard versus a good opposition.”
His ambitions for 2015 are development focused and targeted at continuing his journey to the top.
“I am just working as hard as I can. It’s my first year in the Youth League so whatever happens happens. All I need to do is work hard and if I get game time I do, if not I don’t.”
Valentini will play with the Perth Glory in the National Youth League for the 2014-2015 season and then remain with the team as they participate in the WA NPL at the seasons conclusion.