Venkat Raman
A teenager of the Indian community is fast acquiring the attributes of a fine soccer player with the promise of becoming an international star.
Twelve-year old Arzan Todywalla has emerged as one of the best players of his generation, winning accolades, citations, medals and trophies at soccer matches held at School, City, District, National and International levels.
He will be the Captain of the Auckland Futsal Team at the matches due to be held in Australia in January 2015.
Neither the visit nor the captaincy would be his first.
Arzan is a boy of all seasons and the dream of every coach.
It was a proud moment when his former Coach Jonathan Burke called him a ‘Goal Machine.’
Birmingham Boy
The greatest triumph in the young athlete’s career occurred recently when he was selected to undergo trial at the Birmingham City Club in Birmingham (United Kingdom).
Arzan was arguably the first New Zealander Indian to make it to Birmingham, which has the distinction of having established the world’s first football league in 1888.
The Coaches were so impressed by Arzan’s skills that they selected him to play for the Under 13 Birmingham City Club Team in Birmingham and later in Derby.
Awed but keeping his cool, the youngster went through the amazing experience and later received yet another reward: a tour of the world-famous Manchester United Museum and the Old Trafford Stadium.
Year of Achievements
This has been a year of recognition and reward for Arzan.
As he mentioned, 2014 began with a visit to Australia representing Auckland Futsal Team as its Captain, turning it into an ‘All Star Team.’
More than 500 players from New Zealand and Australia aspire for membership into the ‘All Star Team’ but only a handful of players are selected.
At the beginning of the School Year (8) at Bucklands Beach Intermediate School, he was appointed House Captain.
He won the ‘Special Award for Excellence in Pursuing Sports (Male 9-14 Years) at the Indian Newslink Indian Sports Awards Presentation Ceremony held at Alexandra Park on April 9, 2014.
He was the Captain of the Bucklands Beach Intermediate Boys Soccer Team at the ‘Aims Games’ held in Tauranga in September 2014. Repeating his feat achieved in 2013, he was made a member of the ‘International Tournament Team,’ setting a record for his School.
Arzan was honoured with the ‘Fencibles United AFC 2014 Player of the Year’ (Grade 13) Trophy at the Fencibles United AFC 2014 Awards in October.
He also won the Sportsperson of The Year (Grade 15) Award.
Arzan was recently selected for one week intense training at the New Zealand Football National Training Centre, Kings College (Otahuhu).
Baby Migrant
He was less than 18 months old when he migrated with his parents (Viraf and Pearl) and sister Afrin to New Zealand.
None of them was aware that there was soccer star in the making, until his third birthday, when Viraf noticed Arzan kick a ball that went “at the speed of a rocket.”
Parental interest grew and recognising the immense potential of the lad, Pearl secured Arzan’s admission to the Fencibles United AFC Soccer Club when he was six years old.
“Over the next few years, our son would be ready for competitions,” they thought.
They were wrong.
In less than a year, Arzan won his first Trophy, including the ‘Golden Ball Award’ and ‘The Most Valuable Player of the Year (2007) Award.’
Thereafter, there was no stopping the boy. Certificates, Medals, Trophies and Prizes became a routine. He appeared in matches, winning most of them, bringing name and fame to the sides for which he played.
Viraf said that his son plays mainly as striker but can play midfield and goalie.
“Soccer is his passion, he loves playing the game and participating in matches. He trains all days of the week and constantly faces the challenges of balancing sports and academic studies,” Viraf said.
Turning Point
A turning point occurred in the youngster’s soccer career when he joined ‘Coerver Coaching New Zealand’ (a coaching method developed by Netherlands champion and UEFA Cup winner Wiel Coerver) to enhance his soccer skills.
His other associations include Auckland Futsal (Indoor Soccer), Coaches Jiong Zhang and Craig Empson. He is currently training under Roger Wilkinson’s Premier Skills Academy.
Arzan respects and remembers all his Coaches but attributes his recent successes to Justin Green, who has also been his mentor.
“I would have never achieved anything without the coaching of Mr Green,” Arzan said and quickly added, “I attribute all my success to my parents, especially my mother who has not only encouraged me since my childhood but also given her time and effort day after day, sacrificing her weekends, holidays and spare time.”
The young man has been adept in other forms of sports as well. He broke records in High Jump (1.52 meters) and Shot Put (9.37 meters with 4 kg ball) at the Annual Sports Meet of his School this year.
Soccer is life for Arzan, who would give up anything to play, watch and coach the game to his juniors. He often helps his Ex-coach Shane Brown in training young aspirants.
Arzan anxiously awaits admission into Pakuranga College in the New Year and also play for the institution.
“I am grateful to Mr Green, Fencibles United AFC and Roger Wilkinson of Premier Skills Academy for giving me the amazing opportunity to travel to UK to train at the Birmingham City Football Academy,” he said.
