Having been at the Wanderers Academy since he was 15, forward Jarrod Carluccio is embracing every opportunity that comes his way.
Six years on from his first season at the Wanderers Academy, Carluccio has clocked up over 150 appearances for the Red & Black in the junior ranks and this season has secured consistent game time with the A-Leagues team.
It has been a story of hard-work and resilience for Carluccio who has strung together six consistent appearances so far for the senior team this season.
“I’ve pretty much grown up in my teenage years here and matured into what I hope to be a man now,” said Carluccio.
“It’s really good and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given this year, obviously I’ve been pushing to break in for a few years now and it’s cliche – but I’ve just kept working.
“I was fortunate enough to be given an opportunity and I just want to do my best for the club, the team and the fans. That’s what we do it for.”
Having grown up in the Western Sydney region, Carluccio understands the unique mentality that is shared by both the club and fans.
“I think we have this unique underdog mentality in Western Sydney and I think that’s what makes us so unique,” said Carluccio.
“A lot of us are from working class backgrounds, we’re a very united culture out here (in Western Sydney) so I think you can see that with our fans and how loyal they are.
“They give us (the fans) that push each week and how much we want to represent them really displays what we are all about. Especially being people from Western Sydney.”
With six matches already under his belt this A-Leagues season, Carluccio is determined to keep pushing for more minutes in the remainder of the season.
“Every time I’ve been able to wear the Wanderers jersey and represent Western Sydney where I’ve grown up, is an absolute honour every single time,” said Carluccio.
“On an individual note, it’s been a big step in my career to get consecutive minutes so it’s been great and I’m just pushing for more now.”
The Wanderers will next face their cross-town rivals in the Sydney Derby this Saturday at Nestrata Jubilee Stadium. Get your tickets to the match here.
