The Wanderers are becoming highly renowned for the quality of the production line of young players coming through their ranks.
It was all there for all to see earlier in the season when six players from the Wanderers Academy made it on the field at the same time during the Hyundai A-League opening round 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners at Bankwest Stadium.
The likes of Academy graduates Daniel Wilmering, who has started in the Wanderers past five games, Kosta Grozos, Tass Mourdoukoutas, Mo Adam, Nick Sullivan and Keanu Baccus have all had a taste of first-team football so far this season in a huge show of faith in the system.
That, however, is just a small taste of what is to come in the future as the club ramps up its junior and Academy programs.
With the Foxtel Y-League kicking off recently, the Red & Black’s players of the future are certain to come to the fore.
And one of that young brigade, Dean Pelekanos, is determined to make his own mark this season.
A member of the Foxtel Y-League squad, Pelekanos, a centre-back, had a bright start to the season after ensuring a clean sheet in his debut.
“I was pretty happy with my effort,” said Pelekanos.
“I have been putting in a lot of work to get where I am now and I am really enjoying my time at the Wanderers.
“We have a new system this season and we have adapted really well. We are all excited to see what the season will bring.”
Pelekanos said he worked extremely hard during the pre-season and received good feedback from his coaches, including head coach Arthur Diles.
“They have been supportive … they tell me to keep my head down and keep training hard and that’s what I have been doing,” explained Pelekanos.
“You have to be physically and mentally tough.”
Pelekanos joined the Wanderers at the beginning of last year having signed from Blacktown City where he played from the under 12s to the under 17s. The centreback said he has a clear vision of his aims and goals in the next few years.
“Firstly, I just want to help the Foxtel Y-League team as much as I can,” said Pelekanos.
“We have a great bunch of players.
“Then I want to be a firm started in the Wanderers’ National Premier League side. I’d also love to have some involvement with the Hyundai A-League side, maybe get on the bench for a game this season and see where I can go from there.”
“Hopefully, I can also figure somewhere along the line with some of the Australian representative teams.”
