On the road to victory

 

 

By Damen Francis
LV Express

Up and coming Hazelwood North soccer star Steph Tanti is relishing a second chance to make her mark on Australian women's soccer, after gaining selection to W-League club Melbourne Victory for the 2011-12 season.

The 19 year-old first made the grade in 2009 when she played four games as a 17 year-old, but said she now has "a different mindset" ahead of her second stint in Australia's elite women's soccer competition.

"I think I'm more of a confident player than I was three years ago and I think also a bit more relaxed," Tanti said.

"When I was in the side last time I was very competitive and I think I just did it because I wanted to play at a higher level.

"This time around I'm doing it more because I want to enjoy myself while playing soccer, which I think is why I'm still playing."

Tanti is one of two Latrobe Valley-raised players to make the 20-strong Victory squad and the attacking midfielder said her prior experience in the W-League meant she was now better prepared to produce her best form.

"Physically it's demanding, mentally it's demanding you really have to step up when you get to this level," she said.

"It's very difficult, each week you get picked for the side and sometimes you're not going to get picked and I remember back then I took it very hard when I wasn't picked for the side.

"I think this season will be a bit different, I'm looking at it as a good opportunity and an experience instead of the be all and end all.

"You just need to prove yourself at training and hopefully the next week is your chance. It's usually a pretty fair system; if you do perform well at training you will get the opportunity and if you play well enough you'll stay in the side."

Through the winter Tanti played with Victorian Women's Premier League club Sandringham, which finished on top of the ladder as minor premiers before going down 2-1 to South Melbourne in the grand final.

 Tanti top scored for the club with 12 goals for the season.

"It was a good season for me, I think the reason I enjoyed it so much was because I was a key player in the side, so obviously I got a lot more of the ball and it was good to make an impact," she said.

After starting out at Gippsland Soccer League club Churchill "six or seven years ago", Tanti's career snowballed as she represented Gippsland and Victoria and was part of Football Federation Victoria's National Training Centre before being sighted by the Victory in 2009.

She admitted her early progress came as a surprise and attributed it to the work ethic and discipline she gained from 12 years of martial arts training.

"I think initially I was (surprised), I never went into soccer hoping to play for Melbourne Victory... but I think it quickly became a goal of mine."

"I think the higher level I play at the more fun I have. It's more competitive and I'm quite a competitive person."

Off-field Tanti is just as competitive and committed, having moved to Melbourne to pursue her studies as well as soccer.

In the second year of a Bachelor of Business and Entrepreneurship degree at RMIT, she now has to cope with a heavier workload.

"At Sandringham we train twice a week, it's more of a relaxed environment... as soon as you step up to Victory it's very intense workouts every session. You know you're going to be working hard and hopefully learning something new," she said.

"We train five nights a week so there's not a lot of spare time... when you get spare time you really have to dedicate it to study or whatever it is you're doing."