Mikayla Vidmar, daughter of ex-Socceroo Tony Vidmar, carries on football legacy with Adelaide City
‘It’s got such a rich history and to be part of the club where dad played is really special’ – An ex-Socceroo’s daughter is following in her father’s footsteps, playing for one of SA's most successful soccer clubs.
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Mikayla Vidmar has only seen replays of her father, Tony Vidmar, in action on the soccer pitch.
She was six when Tony decided to end his decorated playing career after 76 appearances with the Socceroos, 104 games with Scottish side Rangers and 134 games at Adelaide City.
But from the snippets she has seen, Mikayla is impressed.
“He was a pretty good player,” Mikayla said.
“He was quite an attacking defender and I was quite impressed.
“It was nice to watch and he definitely worked hard at the game.”
The now 18-year-old is building her own chapter in the sport, liming up with the Black and Whites in the Women’s National Premier League this season.
Tony featured with City from 1989 to 1995 in the now defunct National Soccer League and is a great of the club.
Mikayla is proud to pull on the Black and White strip and represent the club where her Dad and uncle, Aurelio Vidmar, played.
She does, however, admit to feeling some pressure with having the Vidmar name.
“It’s a really special club to be part of,” the defender said.
“It’s got such a rich history and to be part of the club where dad played is really special.
“It (the pressure) is definitely something that has been there but it’s something I’ve learnt to push to the back of my mind and when you’re out there, you kind of just play.”
Despite being on the Black and Whites’ list in 2019, Mikayla only managed five matches due to suffering a stress fracture in her shin.
But she is now injury free and has played all five of City’s WNPL games, as well as one Cup clash.
And she is loving it with City sitting top of the table with a 4-1 record.
But Mikayla also has her sights on bigger things in the future with hopes for a W League contract or to play overseas.
“Dad definitely helps when I ask for it,” Mikayla, who is studying a Bachelor of Human Movement with University of South Australia, said.
“I am very keen to be part of some success and to be part of such a great team with such talented and experienced players is great.”
Tony, who also lined up in 33 A League games for the Central Coast Mariners, including the 2008 grand final loss to Newcastle, was proud to have his daughter play for Adelaide City.
“For her to end up at Adelaide City is quite ironic in that way,” Tony said.
“She’s fully deserved it, she’s worked so hard for it to get there and she’s quite determined to push on with it.
“To see her running around in a black and white strip is great because I never thought that would’ve happened.”