An Italian football hero is inspiring young Kerikeri football players.

Several years ago, Kerikeri residents, Wiga and Olivier Autet,  were living in Milan and found themselves living next door to players from Italy’s famed football team, Internazionale Milan; one being the famous, Ronaldo, from Brazil.

Prior to their departure to New Zealand, they acquired a shirt of Inter Milan player, Javier Zanetti.

Zanetti, now captain of Inter, began playing football in the suburbs in his home country, Argentina, and moved to Italy as a young man to play for Inter Milan, where he has played for the last 14 years, many as captain. He is known not only for his consistent and reliable play but also for his calm and confident leadership.

Rather than use the shirt themselves, the couple have put the shirt to work to inspire and encourage a young generation of football players half a world away from its origin.

With support from the Kerikeri Football Club, a group of keen young Kerikeri boys with dreams of being football greats, are testing their skills by playing in a higher grade.  Coach, Murray Nash, has introduced the Zanetti shirt as an incentive to his team to strive for their very best.  Each week, the boys themselves select a ‘player of the day’, who keeps the Zanetti shirt to proudly wear to practice during the following week.

So far, the team has started the season with three convincing wins.

Last week, Inter Milan, lead by their captain Javier Zanetti, made the finals of the European Champions League for the first time since 1972. Zanetti challenged his team-mates to put in a faultless performance in their game against Barcelona with the result being a deserved finals berth against Bayern Munchen.

Murray Nash is hoping the Zanetti Shirt, and its journey to Kerikeri will inspire the Kerikeri Development 12 Grade to adopt a passion and commitment to rival their Italian heroes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Odette Yates:   021 2212313