DIANELLA boy James Marocchi has his sights set far and wide, not just on the soccer field, but in the classroom.
The son of Perth Glory’s inaugural coach Gary Marocchi was recently selected to play for a prestigious soccer academy but will also study engineering and commerce at UWA.
James (16) won an associate scholarship with the National Training Centre (NTC) last month. Players were chosen after open trials in September and the squad began training in October 2009.
James, who scored an outstanding TER score last year of 99.7, said he hoped to make it as a soccer professional but believed it was important to have something to fall back on.
“You cant be a soccer player all your life – its important to have a back-up plan,” he said.
His main goal is to concentrate on his studies but he also hopes to play for the Perth Glory youth team soon.