Contender: The world at his clever feet

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Steven Old has already been there, done that, packing more into his 17 years than most teenagers would even dare think about.

Next week Old leaves on a dream trip to one of Italy's great soccer clubs, taking another step towards what he, his family and supporters hope will lead to a career as a professional footballer.

But for the Palmerston North youngster this is no self-indulgent fantasy.

The memory of his older brother, Chris, remains, five years on, an inspiration for the talented teenager.

In 1997 Steven, his father, former All Black Geoff Old, mother Jan, sister Stacey and Chris left the Manawatu for the Netherlands, where Geoff embarked on a four-year rugby coaching stint.

Within nine months their lives were in turmoil. Chris was diagnosed with meningococcal disease and died eight weeks later. He was 16.

It was a turning point in young Steven's life.

"Overnight Steven, as a 12-year-old, and his sister, two years older, became adults," said Jan Old.

"It was a traumatic time for everyone but he coped very well. Steven and Chris had always been close. As a family we have always been close."

It must be hard, then, for his mother, who faces almost being "home alone" when Steven heads off to Serie A club Parma.

Geoff is in the United States on matters rugby and Stacey is at university in Wellington. Jan will stay on the family's 10-acre block with her mother Beth (one of Steven's greatest fans) as Steven tries his luck on the other side of the world.

While Ryan Nelsen is the obvious favourite to succeed Chris Zoricich as All Whites captain when they play Iran next month, Old is obviously seen as the next cab off that rank.

He has already captained the national under-17 side and this year, in a move that caught most by surprise, Old, the youngest player in the New Zealand under-22 shadow Olympic team who played Japan away, was handed that captaincy as well.

This journey, where he will have a month at Parma in northern Italy before stints at Bologna and Atalanta, is an opportunity too good to miss.

"It's a bit scary," Old admitted when details were released this week.

"It will be a huge experience to go to one of the biggest clubs in the world. After the time I had living and playing a bit in Holland, I have some idea of what to expect but it's still a bit daunting."

An accomplished centre-back who first played soccer as a 4-year-old despite his father's rugby background, Old impresses on and off the field.

New Zealand Soccer's director of football, Paul Smalley, who was instrumental in arranging the trip, has no doubt Old has what it takes.

"We have identified Steven as a player with great potential. We are conscious of the need to provide Steven with different cultural and footballing experiences to develop his talents."

Steven, who will be accompanied by Ricki Herbert, NZ Soccer's director of technical development and assistant All Whites coach, for the first nine days of his Italian sojourn, will live with other young players at Parma, where he will be immersed in the day-to-day life of a professional footballer.

NZ Soccer sees Old's stint as an important starting point for its international player development programme, which Smalley said was designed "to take boys and girls on a journey of learning, with the emphasis on learning in a fun environment".

Old, who made his debut as a 16-year-old in the Southern Trust National League and has become a regular in the Manawatu side under Colin Tuaa, has the world at his feet.

Many young New Zealand players have packed their boots and headed to the "way beyond". Sadly, many struggle to achieve their dreams.

It would be a surprise if Steven Old does not fulfil his.