Macarthur FC, Young Socceroos’ Jake Hollman on the rise in A-League

If tackling was allowed for kids in rugby this Macarthur FC young gun might not be living the dream in the A-League’s newest club.

Northern beaches footballer Jake Hollman made his A-league debut for Macarthur FC in 2021. Pic: Supplied.

He’s a highly rated midfielder touted as a future star of the game but teenager Jake Hollman might not have been playing football at all if junior rugby had different rules.

The 19-year-old from Seaforth, on Sydney’s northern beaches, has been turning heads for Macarthur FC after making his debut in the first game of the season - the Bulls win over the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Northern beaches footballer Jake Hollman made his A-league debut for Macarthur FC in 2021. Pic: Supplied.

Hollman said he signed his contract with the A-League’s newest club on his 19th birthday and has been living his best life since.

“It was pretty awesome. It was unexpected to be honest,’’ Hollman said.

“Ante (Milicic, coach) had been watching without me knowing. When I got the call it was a dream come true.

“I had no idea they were interested in me. I was juts playing well (in the national youth league with Sydney FC) and happy with the way things were going.’’

But Hollman revealed he had potentially been destined for a future in another sport entirely as a youngster.

Alex Rufer of the Phoenix and Denis Genreau of the Bulls come together in a tackle.

“Dad played rugby and he wanted me to do that but when I started there was a rule that you can’t tackle so dad said let go do something else and that was soccer,’’ said the former St Augustines student.

“I just loved the game. You couldn’t get the ball away from me.

“In the under 12s at Manly United I got the best player award and I wondered then if I could be a professional one day.’’

Hollman said when he started with Macarthur he didn’t expect too much.

“I was just happy to be there,’’ he said. “But then I wanted so much more.

“When I made my A-League debut it was just amazing.

“I had nerves before but Bankwest stadium is just amazing and it being the Sydney derby, that was great as well.

“When I came on at halftime against the Mariners I wasn’t nervous. Just a little anxious may be.’’

MORE SPORT

Northern beaches schoolboy stuns with Aussie title

By Scott! Undie’s ad star races to aerial gold

The ‘new’ Trbojevich tough by name and nature

Bored soccer player now a young rugby gun

Originally published as Macarthur FC, Young Socceroos’ Jake Hollman on the rise in A-League