Alammedine making mark at Rockdale

Rockdale City Suns midfielder Toufic Alammedine has blossomed in the early part of the season by adding goals to his repertoire along with performances that has seen his name in the team of the week on a number of occasions.

“My performances have improved.

“I’m not where I want to be with my football.

“I haven’t been working hard enough way from the training ground and I need to put in the extra hours.

“The determination and knowing where I want to be and what I want to be is a major factor in my wanting to improve but I don’t think it’s quite good enough at the moment.”

This is typical of the quietly spoken, humble guy who was a ‘club hopper’ in his early days taking in Marconi Stallions, Sutherland Sharks, Nepean and APIA Leichhardt Tigers among others. It is however at Ilinden where he looks happiest as witnessed in his performances but does the no nonsense style of football always bring the plaudits it often should? 

“It’s rare anyone with talent doesn’t start to gain recognition in any walk of life if they work hard enough to achieve it.

“They will generally get noticed.

“Injuries play their part of course and pushes the progression back a bit so then you need to work harder to get back to where you were and become better.”

It’s not easy for the players who regularly work full-time and Toufic is no exception in working with his father in the family construction business (Hala Constructions) and at 21-years old with a sixth month old son the demands away from the pitch are tremendous.

“I am content with what I have in life, whatever that may be and hopefully I can be a role model to those who appreciate working hard and having their honesty recognised.

”Sadly too many people who are honest these days get walked all over so I would like to try and set an example that honesty and hard work will pay off.

“It’s in the hands of God but I will try to achieve the best I can be in life as in football.”

On the playing side he deflects any praise that comes his way, such is his nature.

“The team is looking pretty solid with the core players remaining and a couple of additions and we feel we’ve got the strongest squad in maybe the last 3-4 seasons with a good mix of youth and experience.

“This adds to our depth and a Top Five finish has to be a minimum requirement in our eyes.”

Alammedine is a fine young man, honest, polite and extremely humble.

A terrific example to young players and everyone in general but his parting comment remains poignant:

“As Coerver Coaching said back in the day – Dream, Believe, Achieve – is as true now as when they first stated it.”

Many will be looking at his performances for the remainder of this season and, hopefully, for many more to come.

-By Micky Brock