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Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley has congratulated 22-year-old Nathaniel Atkinson for winning the Joe Marston Medal for a best on ground performance in last night’s A-League Grand Final – saying it highlights the potential for Tasmanian footballers to make the highest levels of the sport.
“For Nathaniel to score a goal and be named best on ground in the biggest match on the Australian domestic football calendar is an outstanding achievement for which he, his family, home club Riverside Olympic, and the Tasmanian football community should be very proud,” he said.
“Nathaniel has worked extremely hard to get to where he is now after having left home at age 14 to follow his dreams of becoming a professional player and deserves all the accolades he receives.
“However, leaving home is a difficult decision to make at such a young age, and one that not every talented player is in a position to make.
“Football is Tasmania’s most played team sport, and we believe that Tasmanians should have pathways to the very highest level of the game, without having to leave the state like Nathaniel has.
“It’s clear our young players have the talent and potential but increasing the pathways available to them will give them more opportunities for success.
“To this end we will continue to work hard towards seeing an A-League and W-League club of our own in Tasmania become a reality.”
Video: https://www.a-league.com.au/video/atkinson-joe-marston-16×9
Postscript: on Tuesday 29 June Nathaniel Atkinson was named in the Olyroos squad for the Tokyo Olympics.
April’s fixture draw marked a key milestone ahead of the highly anticipated Tokyo 2020 tournament, which will be the first time that both Australian men’s and women’s football teams appear at the same Games since Athens 2004.
Australia were drawn into Group C of the Men’s Football Tournament at Tokyo 2020 alongside Argentina, Spain and Egypt.
The Olyroos will take on familiar foes Argentina, who they faced in 2004 and 2008, as well as Spain who they faced once before during Atlanta 1996, and Egypt who are first-time opponents at Olympic level.
Graham Arnold’s side booked their first Olympic spot since 2008 in January 2020 after finishing third at the AFC U-23 Championship in Thailand and, following the postponement of the Games last year, will kick off their Tokyo 2020 campaign on 22nd July 2021.
The tournament structure and schedule
Australia will be one of 16 nations that will take to the pitch in Tokyo. The qualified nations are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Côte D’Ivoire, Egypt, France, Germany, Honduras, Japan (host country), Korea Republic, Mexico, New Zealand, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Spain.
Graham Arnold’s side will be hoping to advance through to the Quarter Finals as one of the top two finishers.
Australia’s best result at a Men’s Olympic Football Tournament to date is fourth place at Barcelona 1992, and Australia’s U-23’s will be setting their sights on going at least one better and taking home our country’s first ever Olympic football medal.
Match Details
Argentina v Australia
Thursday, 22 July 2021
Venue: Sapporo Dome, Sapporo
Kick-off: 7.30pm local, 8.30pm AEST
Australia v Spain
Sunday, 25 June 2021
Venue: Sapporo Dome, Sapporo
Kick-off: 7.30pm local, 8.30pm AEST
Australia v Egypt
Wednesday, 28 July 2021
Venue: Miyagi Stadium, Rifu
Kick-off: 8.00pm local, 9.00pm AEST
