SWQ Thunder complete ‘Italian job’

The SWQ Thunder have completed an “Italian job” their FQPL rivals will need to be wary of.

Former Italian under-17 representative player Pasquale De Vita has signed with the South West Queensland Thunder.

FOOTBALL : The SWQ Thunder have completed an “Italian job” their FQPL rivals will need to be wary of.

Former Italian under-17 player Pasquale De Vita has joined the side ahead of their 2020 season.

The 25-year-old brings experience and a “classic number 10” style of play to the club.

“I like to play in behind the strikers as an attacking midfield, a number 10,” he said.

“Scoring goals is great but I also love to assist my teammates as well – get them the ball so they can score as.”

Arriving in Toowoomba last Friday, De Vita is excited about the opportunities his first time playing football abroad will present to him.

“I have two friends who live in Sydney and they also tell me how great Australia is. Very friendly, very beautiful,” he said.

“I’m very happy to be here to play football and to learn about a new culture.

“Toowoomba is a nice town and my girlfriend hope to travel and explore when I am not playing football.”

On the field De Vita hopes to learn and teach.

“I can already tell the Thunder players, everyone has been very friendly,” De Vita said.

“I think maybe I can show them how we do things in Italy, how we play football.

“But I also want to learn from them at the same time.

“Australians play good football so it will be good for me.”

Willowburn’s Ebonney Kidd (right) has signed with the South West Queensland Thunder.

TFL talent boost

The Thunder women have also been active in the player market.

Following a challenging 2019 season that saw the NPLQW side forced to blood numerous young players coaching staff have been focused on bringing in experienced local talent.

“We had a very young team in 2019,” SWQ Thunder women’s technical director Kris Hemmerling said.

“They did a great job but one of our goals right now is adding depth to the squad.

“We’ve bought in some great local players.

“We want to make sure our young players develop at the right pace and adding experienced around them helps that.

“Ebonney Kidd for example brings a lot the squad.

“Ebonney has the right attitude, she’s calm, collected and the players already look up to and respect her.

“She’s has been waiting for this opportunity for a while and I think she is a great addition alongside the other local girls we have bought in.

“We’re in a development phase right now and everyone is committed to making sure we do things the right way.”

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