INTERVIEW: Wanderers youngster, Nicholas Olsen

Though yet to be given his chance in the A-League, a player long held in the highest esteem by those concerned with the Western Sydney Wanderers is youngster Nicholas Olsen.

The eighteen year old has been heavily involved with the youth set-up for both Western Sydney (featuring regularly in the NYL) as well as the national team.

Nic was kind enough to donate some of his time to answer some questions about his career so far.

Having played a lot of football and made a name for yourself playing in the National Premier League for the Sutherland Sharks, what are your thoughts on the level of football in the NPL and its potential as a stepping stone into the A-League?

I think me having a great season with Sutherland in the National Premier League aided me a lot in my successful contract with the Wanderers. It was a season I will remember and look back to in the future. The level of football in the NPL is quality and of course, if they get the chance to be involved and promoted into the A-League, the standard of football will increase heavily due to the intensity of a higher league. The clubs will become more professional and have a better chance to improve on the things they may not have had enough time for being just a semi-professional club.

You recently travelled to Spain with the Young Socceroos to partake in the COTIF tournament. Can you describe that experience and the squad’s performance?

My experience from traveling with Young Socceroos was unbelievable! It’s something that is hard to describe to people. The training was great and representing your country at the highest level. Being able to go with the national team to Spain was amazing because I was able to see the talent from other countries and see what they had to offer in terms of their skills and mental reading of the game. The performance of the team was very impressive as we improved every game, which is great for players to see and be a part of. And I felt that we as a team were gelling well together.

You’ve been in and around the Wanderer’s squad for a while now, and featured in the preseason. We saw Josh Sotirio [and now Alessi] make his debut earlier in the season, while the likes of Perkatis and Barresi have been given opportunities by Popovic. How close are you to an A-League appearance and what sort of role does the coach seem to favour you in?

It’s always great to see your other team mates get their first debut for a club and I was very happy for Josh when he got a run against Newcastle. It’s something, as a young player, you aspire to and that’s why I always put in my all at every training session to try and fight for a spot and improve myself as a player for now and in the coming future.

I’m not sure how close I am to my first appearance but I am sure, when the time is right, Popovic will pick me when he feels I am ready.

What has been the most unexpected thing about being part of the Wanderers in the last year?

I think, like everyone, the crowds that we have been able to get in to Parramatta Stadium and away games are phenomenal!! It has come because of the hard work that we put into training and especially what we as players give back to the community. That’s what is great about the Wanderers.

Follow Nic on Twitter: @nicholas_olsen

Follow me on Twitter (if you insist): @userlastname

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