Curtis Good's soccer dream a reality

Curtis Good was recently named in the 30 man Socceroos squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the College congratulates Curtis on this great achievement. However, our thoughts are with him as he has been unable to overcome a recent injury and therefore has missed out on the final Socceroos squad to compete in Rio. After completing Year 9, Curtis was invited to the AIS and went on to play with Melbourne Heart. Curtis joined Wesley Old Collegian Peter Skapetis, in the coveted English Premier League, after signing a six year deal with Newcastle United.

The highly-rated 21 year old made 25 appearances for Melbourne Heart in his debut A League season in 2011-12. Heart coach John Aloisi said “Newcastle United is one of the biggest clubs in the United Kingdom, and we are absolutely delighted he has the opportunity to ‘test his wares’ on such a stage”.

Curtis started at Wesley in 2006 as a Year 7 student at the Glen Waverley campus. He played soccer in the Year 7 team, where he was noticed by Wesley’s Head Coach of Soccer at the time, Noel Mitten. Curtis says, “I cannot thank Mr Mitten enough for his support and guidance during my time at Wesley. He was truly inspirational!” As a Year 8 student, Curtis played his first game for the Wesley First Soccer team in 2007.

During his stay at Wesley’s Year 9 residential program at Clunes in 2008, Curtis was offered a two year scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and he left Wesley to move to the AIS in Canberra at the beginning of 2009. This was followed by a two year contract to play for Melbourne Heart Football Club, and an offer for a two week trial from Newcastle United Football Club, in England, which lead to the offer of his current contract.

Curtis says, “I feel very lucky to have received a six year senior contract from Newcastle United, because it has always been a dream of mine to play in the English Premier League.”

Curtis’ regular soccer commitments, either training or playing, consists of two to six hours a day, sometimes more, six days a week.

Although this is not Curtis’ first time living away from home, the hardest part of moving to England for him is leaving his family and friends behind. “During my time at Wesley, I made some great friends and still keep in contact with a close group of mates. My brother, Travis, is in Year 10 at Wesley and my sister, Ashlee, who graduated from Wesley in 2008, was the captain of the Wesley Girls First Soccer team. I still feel a connection with Wesley.”

Curtis’ future ambitions are to work hard to improve and “To secure a permanent spot in the Newcastle First team and to play for the Australian Socceroos would be amazing!”