Karate kid Xavier Stocca a star keeper after being spotted by former Socceroo

FIVE years of karate training helped Xavier Stocca get spotted by former Socceroos goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac and placed in a special program.

Xavier Stocca JSS

FIVE years of karate training helped Xavier Stocca get spotted by former Socceroos goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac.

Xavier, who is this week's Rebel Sport and Renovation Boys-sponsored Junior Sports Star nominee, is part of the under-10s East team in the Football NSW Skill Acquisition Program.

Despite not playing much in goals, the 10-year-old was selected for the team by Kalac after taking part in a training camp.

Since then Xavier, from Camperdown, has helped the under-10 East team win the international youth football tournament, the Kanga Cup, in Canberra this year. His mother Julie said training in karate since he was five years old helped in goals.

Read more Camperdown news online with the Inner West Courier

"He was playing for his club side Fraser Park and went in goals. We couldn't believe how well he performed," she said.

"He was then selected for the SAP team despite not having any formal goalkeeping training."

In the past, Xavier had competed at the national martial arts championships, but is now concentrating on being between the posts. "The agility and quick reflexes in goals must have come from his years in karate," Mrs Stocca said.