Forward steps toward his dream

By Teo Pellizzeri

October 24 2007

Shepparton News

He looks the part but Shepparton young-gun Ben Mammone wants his feet to do the talking.

Mammone can't get enough of soccer and is hoping to join the Football Federation of Victoria's "V>Elite" program which runs through summer.

The 11-year-old forward has enjoyed the best season of his young career with Shepparton South under-11s in the North Eastern Soccer League and his school St Mel's in the Shepparton Junior Soccer Association.

Mammone won the league best-and-fairest in the under-11s, as well as top goalscorer and the bestand-fairest for his club.

It didn't all go to plan, though, as Shepparton South was defeated by Cobram Victory in the under-11 grand final.

The V>Elite program is an initiative which provides the top talents in the state with a new pathway program to the top level of soccer.

Mammone pitted his skills against more than 1500 children at a trial in Bendigo - all desperate to impress the talent identification staff on hand.

"It was difficult, we had to do ball-juggling tasks, speed tests and a lot of mini-games," Mammone said.

"I'm not sure just how I went, hopefully I can get in and go to the next round."

Sporting white boots and a headband whenever he plays, it is no surprise that Mammone's favourite player to watch is the flamboyant Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mammone and brother Christian, 7, are always playing soccer against each other, while father Vince is a senior player at Shepparton South.

"He'll see me and Christian having a kick and he'll then want to come and join in as well," Mammone said.

The names of children picked to progress to the next stage of the V>Elite program will to be released in the coming days.