Mr Krakowczyk has played and coached soccer for 35 years and is keen to pass on his knowledge of the sport while working in his new role.

Football Margaret River junior co-ordinator Paul Brown says the school clinics will give local children a chance to try soccer to see if they like it.

“Our club has benefited from Perry’s expertise in coaching and giving us tips on how to keep the younger kids motivated through a training session,” he said.

“This is the first time that a soccer coach has been to any schools in the Augusta-Margaret River region and the fact that a very experienced coach will be coaching them is a bonus.”

Apart from school visits, Mr Krakowczyk’s role as a South West Development officer will include coaching clinics with clubs and associations, and coaching academies for select players to help them compete at State and national level.

He has already been working with local junior player Tash Rigby, who he scouted at club level and pushed to attend State trials.

“Without that input she might never have been noticed,” Mr Brown said.

“Now she is playing for the State next month in Sydney.”

Since becoming the South West Development officer Mr Krakowczyk has also been working toward giving local coaches more training, facilitating Youth Licence coaching courses in Busselton.

“Four Margaret River junior coaches are currently going through a youth licence course,” Mr Brown said.

“We would never have been open to any of these courses before as we would have had to travel to Perth.

“Also Football West is just about to start a Football South West Academy for the talented players as a stepping stone to get to State and National level.

“All of these things are a massive boost for the sport in the South West.”

Mr Krakowczyk says soccer all over Australia is growing and he aims for country children to have the same opportunities as their city counterparts.

“My hope for the South West is to introduce more children into football and to feed more players into the State squads,” he said.

“The amount of talent we have here is incredible.”

He also intends to bring junior development programs currently running in Perth to the South West, such as small-sided games.

“Football Australia is introducing small sided games for the junior competition, giving juniors more touches of the ball, more skill and in the process finding an Aussie Ronaldinho, Messi or Kaka,” he said.

“The next four years is going to see a complete rollout, we’re we have to start with the younger ones first.”

As for the school clinics, Mr Krakowczyk says by sparking an interest at primary school level, country children will better understand the world game and potential soccer stars will be recognised earlier.

“Hopefully this leads one day to Australia lifting the big one,” he said.

Primary schools that would like to have Perry Krakowczyk conduct soccer sessions at their school can phone him on 0410 568 560.

Mr Krakowczyk’s position as a South West Development officer was made possible by Football West, Healthways, Smarter Than Smoking, the Leeuwin Naturaliste Soccer Association and Country coastal Junior Soccer Assocation.