Mum's support brings dividends

ANTONIO BRADLEY/Hutt News

STEPPING UP: A mum's faith in her son has paid off. Regan Steele - flanked by his Stop Out coaches Simon Harold, left, and Besim Balicevac - is heading off to study and play in Buffalo, New York.

Local soccer up-and-comer Regan Steele is about to cross the Pacific for an annual $NZ60,000 scholarship in the US, but he'll be leaving his home club, Stop Out, at a time when victories are coming thick and fast.

Just one year out of Hutt Valley High School, the 18-year-old central mid-fielder will study business at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, and play in the Metro Atlantic League against other universities in the state.

The scholarship is renewable every year based on Steele's performance, and can last up to four years.

Steele was part of the NZ Secondary Schools team that toured the UK in December, when he noticed talent scouts at a match. They obviously liked what they saw and on New Year's Eve he received a call with the scholarship news.

"A pretty good way to end the year!" he says. "It's what everyone hopes for in New Zealand if you're playing soccer."

The call-up put to rest some guilt Steele felt about the UK tour. His mother Janet covered the cost of the trip.

"I felt bad - her paying 10 grand for me to go around Europe - when she's never left New Zealand."

In 2007, when Steele was playing for Lower Hutt City AFC, his mother drove him from Levin to his trainings twice a week. Assistant coach at the time Besim Balicevac says that dedication showed Steele had the hunger to succeed.

Balicevac now co-coaches Hutt Park-based club Stop Out in the Capital Premier League. Steele is one of the team's highly talented players, which is now top of the table.

Balicevac says part of the reason for the team's success is it uses the European style of football, which central mid-fielder Steele has embraced.

"Central mid-field is huge for [the European] style to succeed."

Steele says being at Stop Out is the best possible way to prepare him for the US.

"The team environment is probably one of the best I've ever been in. Winning helps with that."

Canisius College is providing the $60,000 for university fees, accommodation, and food, but the total cost is about $9000 more, which Steele and his mother will have to cover.

So look out for Steele applying some elbow grease to Hutt Valley residents' back gardens, to help raise the funds.

He begins his US debut in early August.

STOP OUT REBOUNDS FROM RELEGATION

After only two wins in the Central League last season, and relegation to the Capital Premier League this year, Stop Out's top team has turned its fortunes around and now leads the competition.

Former National Soccer League player Besim Balicevac was brought into the Gracefield club this year to co-coach the top team, and recruit fresh talent.

Balicevac, who is heavily involved with youth coaching, brought in exciting young players like Steele.

"Not often do you get a situation where clubs that get relegated then attract players," Balicevac says.

Stop Out is giving these young players their first shot at a club's top team.

"They have had to fight hard for positions within the team because there are a lot of existing players from last season."

Along with the fresh talent, Balicevac attributes the team's success to a new mentoring programme, and a European style of soccer, where the players' formation creates a lot of space.

And it seems to be working. So far this season, Stop Out has won five from six league matches, and two from two Chatham cup matches.

In Saturday's Chatham Cup clash, Stop Out held out a strong challenge from Naenae to win 3-2. Stop Out made the most of windy conditions early, midfielder Abbass Sheik pouncing on a shot that hit goalie Brad Topp in the breadbasket and rolled away from his grasp. Regan Steele headed home a corner at the 30-minute mark then just a few minutes later, Simon O'Neil curled his corner kick into the back of the net.

Benji Hall pulled one back for Naenae just before the break, and Naenae scored the second half's only goal.
Stop Out will be without senior defender Alex McDonald when the side clashes again with Naenae in a Premier League match at Naenae Park on Saturday. He was shown a red card for an off-the-play incident.