ABOUT NICK RIZZO
ABOUT NICK RIZZO
PLAYING CAREER
Early Days
A local boy from Bronte, Nick Rizzo starting playing football at his local club Queens Park, with the dream of one day playing professionally & representing his country. Rizzo played in the Eastern Suburbs till under 13’s age group where he made a move to the famous Sydney Olympic to further his footballing career. After strong performances in the U/14’s and U/15’s Rizzo, Nick Rizzo was promoted to Sydney Olympic’s U/21 National Youth League team by coach Peter Katholos.
Despite being overlooked for state representation from U/13’s to U/15’s, impressive performances in Sydney Olympic’s U/21’s saw himself earn a selection for the Australian U/17’s Joeys. He participated in the 1995 world U/17 championships in Ecuador with the likes of Harry Kewell, Brett Emerton and Danny Allsopp where the Joeys lost in the quarter finals to World powerhouse Brazil. Having caught the eye of former APIA, Socceroo & England professional Archie Blue, he organised a trial for Nick with Liverpool FC.
Playing in Europe
Rizzo arrived in England in 1996 joining English giants Liverpool after a successful 8 day trial. After his encouraging first season playing in Liverpool’s reserve side, the then 18 year old was promoted into Liverpool’s first team where he was handed the number 28 first team shirt. During this time Rizzo became a Socceroo at 18 years of age when he made his debut against Croatia in 1998.
He was then lured to Crystal Palace by Terry Venables for two seasons, where he featured for 58 games across 2 years for the Eagles, before a move to Italian Serie B side Ternana in 2000, with former Juventus and Italian international great Attilio Lombardo playing a key role in the move, where Nick reunited with friend & current Socceroo Vince Grella.
During this time, Rizzo featured for the Australian U/20 international team, as well as the Olyroos, where he represented his country in his hometown in Sydney in the 2000 Olympics. By 21 years of age Rizzo had represented Australia at all levels, namely the U/17’s, U/20’s, Olyroos and of course the Socceroos.
Rizzo’s three year contract with Ternana was masked by a persistent, nearly career ending injury to his right knee. Rizzo then returned to the English game when he decided to end his time in Italy and with the advice of former Crystal Palace and Socceroo coach Terry Venables he joined English side Milton Keynes Dons (former Wimbledon FC) in 2004 where he stayed for three seasons.
Returning Home
In June 2007, Nick Rizzo returned to Australia after an 11 year stint in Europe playing in England and Italy. Nick signed for Perth Glory, playing in the A-League for two seasons before retiring from professional football.
Following a successful club & national career, Nick’s love & passion for the game motivated him to remain involved with football, where he wanted to draw from his experience to educate the upcoming generation of young footballers in Australia. It was shortly after that Nick began the Nick Rizzo International Football Academy,
