After a chance encounter with one of Manchester City’s development coaches at the game, Jacob Martinek was invited to attend Moorland Private School in England’s north-west, whose football academy gains players access to elite coaching and facilities which offer pathways to professional clubs.
His on-ball ability and willingness to work was soon picked up by his coaches, and recently the young Aussie prodigy was chosen for a six-week trial with one of Britain’s oldest clubs, Blackburn Rovers. Martinek met with the Youth Academy Scouts to talk about which paths he will be pounding on his journey to the top.
Moorland marvel
At 16 years of age, Martinek boasts a footballing resume most senior players would trade their eye-tooth for. His time at the Moorland School has had the boy wonder rack up a slew of titles which include the England Schoolboys Football Association Playstation Cup last year and the Lancashire Cup during the same year. While Martinek didn’t lift quite as many trophies this year, he has taken his personal game to the next level meaning there is no telling just how far the Lancashire lightning bolt will travel.
Youth Academy: How has the season been so far?
Jacob Martinek: Pretty disappointing to be honest, we didn’t do as well as last year. Last year we won pretty much every game we played and went undefeated for the entire season. We won the Playstation Cup which is the national tournament and the Lancashire Cup, meaning we were the champions of the county. This year we haven’t done as well, and I think that is mostly because we were playing twice as many games as last year and playing up an age group.
YA: How has the year gone for you personally?
JM: Pretty good this season, I have definitely improved a lot since last year I feel. It has been a lot easier to improve with the coaches I have had over there.
YA: How did you go from the Goulburn Valley to England?
JM: I went over there to watch a Manchester United game on holiday and got in contact with a Manchester City scout. He recommended Moorland School, so I had a look and really enjoyed it. The coaching is with Manchester City coaches, so I decided that it would be the way forward.
YA: What is the standard like compared to the Goulburn Valley?
JM: It is a lot higher and a lot more difficult, especially when I first moved over there. Obviously, everyone over there is very talented because sport is taken a lot more seriously than in Australia, so there is a lot more time invested into all the players. It was a big step up for me.
YA: What sort of training do you do to keep up your personal game?
JM: Through the school we do about 10 to 12 hours a week, which I have been doing that for the past couple of years. Plus, some personal training outside, just keeping good fitness. I was also fortunate to go on a six-week trial with Blackburn Rovers. That was a really good step up because they are a category one club. It was really good training with them, it was really intense and was an even bigger step up from the school.
Pumped up kicks
A leap of faith and a helping of good fortune gave a young Martinek a peek inside the home of the beautiful game. Now three years on, the versatile box-to-box midfielder is kicking it with the big boys and is gearing up to pursue a career within his chosen (football) field.
YA: Have you had any mentors who have helped influence your game?
JM: Definitely my father, he has been a really big help. I couldn’t have done anything without him to be fair.
YA: How did you get into football in the first place?
JM: Probably through my father again. He went over and lived in London for 10 years and that is where he said he fell in love with the game, so he really wanted us boys to start playing. I started with the Tatura school team, got into it then and fell in love with it also. Started when I was about five and really enjoyed the game, so I decided to keep playing and see how far I could go with it.
YA: What do you think is your best on-field attribute?
JM: Probably my playmaking. I like to set up goals, get assists, things like that.
YA: Your family is joining you in a couple of months, what will that mean for you?
JM: It is going to be a lot easier because I won’t be as far from home in a sense with my family there. It will be good for them as well to be with me more, I am very excited about that.
YA: What do you do away from football?
JM: Not a lot to be honest. Listen to music, chill out, hang around with friends. Most of the time I am playing football.
Tiki-taka
YA: What has been your favourite footballing moment?
JM: Probably winning the Playstation Cup, because that made us national champions. It was a good game, we dominated the other team, but it was such a good experience because we got to play in the Madejski Stadium which is Reading’s home ground. Proper commentators in a stadium, it was pretty cool.
YA: What has been your least favourite footballing moment?
JM: ‘Getting your first yellow card’ exclaims dad Jim from the background. Nah, that wasn’t too bad, it was worth it. Probably losing the Lancashire Cup and getting kicked out of a few tournaments due to bad form. We were playing a big scouse team from Liverpool in about three inches of slush, they were sliding about everywhere. We managed to just win on penalties, but it was a close one.
YA: If you could play for any team, who would it be?
JM: Manchester United - they are my boyhood team. Love ‘em.
YA: Who is your footballing idol?
JM: I like Jesse Lingard. We play the same position and he plays for United. He is a lot smaller than the opposition, but he is still super effective.
YA: What is next for you in terms of football?
JM: I will keep on working hard and hopefully go to a few more club trials and trainings and see if I can get a contract.
