Adelaide United’s Stefan Mauk thanks Adelaide City boss Damian Mori for providing his big break

ADELAIDE United’s future Socceroo Stefan Mauk is the perfect advertisement for grassroots soccer in SA, after gaining recognition through PS4 NPL club Adelaide City..

Stefan Mauk (Adelaide United) kicks a goal during the first half. Adelaide United v Central Coast Mariners, at Hindmarsh Stadium. Soccer. 27/03/16 Picture: Stephen Laffer

ADELAIDE United’s future Socceroo Stefan Mauk is the perfect advertisement for grassroots soccer in SA, after gaining recognition through PS4 NPL club Adelaide City.

Mauk will now be watching two worlds collide when Adelaide City — the state’s most successful club, with three national soccer league titles — hosts Adelaide United’s second side, which has players aiming for A-League status, for the first time in PS4 NPL action, at Adelaide City Park on Saturday from 3pm.

Adelaide City boss Damian Mori spotted Mauk’s incredible raw talent when he was 15 after the attacking midfielder had struggled to get the attention of those running Football Federation SA’s elite pathways.

Mauk went from playing Under 16 junior soccer with Adelaide City to training with Mori’s NPL outfit and playing regularly in the reserves and under 19s.

Although he never made an NPL debut, Mauk said it was Mori’s faith in the then-youngster that gave his fledging career a much-needed boost.

“Adelaide City were a massive part of my junior development from Under 11,’’ Mauk said.

“They improved me as a footballer and training with the first time under Damian (Mori) at the time, he is the one that spotted me out.

“He really helped my development at a crucial age when I was training from Under 16s to training with the first team, I really got better by training with better players in the NPL in 2010.”

PS4 National Premier Leagues has also backed a player pathway reward for budding A-League players, with the best young three young players in SA’s NPL offered a trial with Sydney FC in September, after Mauk had been forced to leave his home state to earn career opportunities with Melbourne City.

Mauk made an immediate impact at Melbourne City, making 38 appearances and scoring four goals before Adelaide’s general manager of football, Ante Kovacevic, brokered the Reds’ best-ever mid-season deal in January.

Mauk said he had no hesitation in coming home in a swap with defender Osama Malik.

The 20-year-old has now scored three crucial goals in 12 appearances for Adelaide, partnering Marcelo Carrusca brilliantly in attacking midfield roles.

“It has been remarkable, I didn’t think it was going to work out this good, it’s been a great move for me personally,’’ Mauk said.

“Coming here and winning things, I have been here three months and we’ve won the premier’s plate; it’s a great achievement by the players and the club.

“It was a very smooth transition because all the playing group and coaching staff helped me and they made my performances so much easier.”

His feats in a Reds shirt has also won Mauk the February edition of NAB’s young footballer of the year award.

NAB donated a $1500 equipment pack and $1000 in a NAB Community Saver Account to Mauk’s nominated junior club, Adelaide City.

Mauk said United would play an internal on Saturday to keep the legs ticking over before the semi final at Coopers Stadium on April 22.