NT Sports Reporter
Panaji Aug 17, 2004: Just as fish takes to water, so do Goans take to football, is a popular state refrain. And that�s what exactly typifies the case of England-based 16-year-old Shaun Da Silva whose roots are in Navelim.
Playing for Byfleet Football Club in Surrey, a Division One side competing in Guilford and Sher League, Shaun created waves as he scored the precious match-winner in the finals of Guilford City Tournament against Hallifax Football Club which they won 1-0 last season. The left striker, who sometimes doubles as left midfielder was also a member of the team which won the Goldsworth Park tournament the same season under the captainship of another schoolboy Sam Workman.
Blessed with a strong left-foot, Shaun, whose prime goal is to become a solicitor or an accountant just like his father Phil, got his baptism in football as an under-9 for the school primary team and has steadily graduated into Division One which consists of players between 16 and 18 years of age.
�I started as a substitute in the first year and gradually worked my way to earn a place as a regular for Byfleet which finished 4th in the 12-team league last season. I played in all the 22 league games and had 14 goals to my name,� disclosed the athletically built, 6 footer whose forte is fitness and modesty, qualities to be admired.
�My progress should catapult me into the Youth Football for Under-18 next and depending on further progression I would love to make it to the Men�s Football semi-professional football level,� Shaun replied when asked if he could one day dream of making it to the prestigious Premier League. �I wouldn�t comment on that,� the modest lad who has just finished his General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) at Fullbrook School, Surrey, added pointing out that academics were his first choice.
A striking factor in Shaun�s career that almost keeps you puzzled is the fact that he no longer dons the school colours even as the school advises the students to take part in extra curricular activities. �The training schedules do clash and most importantly, Byfleet is a better team,� he reasoned out.
With the school schedule running from Monday to Friday, Saturdays are earmarked for one and half hours training during the football season while the league matches are generally scheduled for Sundays. During winter, training is done on Thursdays on astro turf and under floodlights for which each player has to shell out a single pound so as to meet part of the cost of floodlights. �Awards and trophies are our biggest motivational factors. Cash awards are out of question for under-18,� divulged Shaun who sports No 7 jersey a la David Beckham, Pires, Jeans, Raul.
Shaun boasts of Byfleet�s youth development programme with teams from under-10 running to under-17 and the training from his coaches Dave Rayston and Les Hiscok who he said focus on ball possesion, taking free kicks, fitness work and concentration. But he is quick to point out that but for his parents�- Rose and Phil - unwavering support, guidance and perseverance he would have never made it to Division One.
- Forwarded by www.goa-world.com
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