Alex’s on the way to soccer stardom

By Glen Atwell
AT 15 YEARS AGE Dandenong North dynamo Alex Tabor is well on his way to soccer super-stardom.
The Victorian Institute of Sport scholarship holder joined an elite group last month when he scored a goal for Melbourne Victory in a practice match against South Melbourne at Bob Jane Stadium.
Alex, who wore number 15 on the night, is the youngest player to score a goal for an A-League club.
Melbourne won 5-1 in front of a 7500-strong crowd and Alex netted a brilliant header in the 82nd minute, joining Archie Thompson, Danny Allsopp and Adrian Caceres on the score sheet.
For Alex, slipping on the Melbourne Victory guernsey was a dream come true and to score a goal was icing on the cake.
“It was a very good experience, the crowd was amazing, it was a dream come true,” he said.
It was also the result of years of hard work and dedication. Since beginning his VIS scholarship in October 2006, Alex trains every day and travels between Dandenong North, Darebin and the city most nights.
“We do a lot of training at Darebin and the rest at the Lexus Centre in the city. It’s pretty full on,” he said.
Alex first played soccer for Noble Park when he seven and displayed amazing balance and touch from the moment he stepped on to the pitch, according to his father, Tom Tabor.
“Alex had unbelievable natural balance and wonderful touch, from the moment he first played. He has also played for Eastern Lions and, most recently, South Melbourne,” he said.
“I’m so proud of Alex, to see him replace Archie Thompson last Wednesday was amazing, and the goal was brilliant,” Mr Tabor said.
Defying his age, Alex has already experienced soccer at an international level, in March 2005, he was selected by the European Football Institute to attend a month-long assessment trial with prominent clubs throughout England. Alex has represented Victoria in the under-15 state side for four consecutive years and, in October last year, won the Golden Boot for scoring five goals in six games and becoming the best striker of his age in the country.
Since being offered a one-year scholarship at the VIS, Alex has a been a regular in the first half of the season for the VIS team in the Football Federation Victoria under-21 league this season, netting eight goals so far, including four in his last three matches.
The stunning striker has managed two-goal hauls in two matches this season – against Heidelberg in round eight and Oakleigh in round 12.
Alex admits he isn’t too certain what the future holds but has set some goals for the next six to 12 months.
“I’d love to make it to the Australian Institute of Sport and one day represent Australia at the Olympics and the World Cup,” he said.