By Takis Triadafillou
Nicholas (Nick) Sorras is one of the most promising 22-year-old goalkeepers in Australia, who in only a few games has showed his incredible talent for Sydney Olympic.
The international goalkeeper is the “Guardian Angel” of the club, the continuation of his father George Sorras, who was an amazing defender and striker for Sydney Olympic in the 90’s.
Nicholas was born in Sydney on June 15, 1998. His parents were also born here, his father George, originally from Aigio, and his mother Maria, originally from Kavala. His parents and his brother Johnny are all active supporters of the Sydney Olympic keeper.
TGH: Nicholas, how did you start?
Nicholas Sorras: From a young age I watched the teams on the field like all Greeks – until my father, seeing his height, gave me a pair of goalkeeper gloves. Since then, my job is to keep as many people as I can from scoring a goal.
I started at the age of 14-15 in the local teams. Under the guidance of my father and in personal training, I started to mature as a goalkeeper and ended up in the Mariners U16-U17. The Australian National Team then invited me to participate in the U-17 World Cup in Chile.
TGH: What were your experiences with the coaches?
Sydney Olympic Goalkeeper Nicholas Sorras.
Nicholas Sorras: It was quite big with the coaches and teammates during the World Cup campaign. We won and gained a lot.
Editor’s Note: Nicholas suffered from a serious eye injury which took approximately to recover. The Greek Australian goalie came back stronger, transferring to the Rockdale Suns for a year in 2018. In 2020, he transferred to Sydney Olympic.
TGH: How do you feel playing for Sydney Olympic; A historic Greek club where almost your entire family lives?
Nicholas Sorras: It’s a fantastic team with good players and a strong board. I believe that we are capable of winning the championship. Apply what you do in training.
TGH: You have Paul Henderson as your coach, how is he?
Nicholas Sorras: Paul or Hedo is a unique human personality and former goalkeeper and now coach of the goalkeepers. He provides all of his experience, especially his techniques on how to stand under the beams. He guides me and he has given me a lot of confidence under the beams.
TGH: In the previous game against Rockdale, you led the team with confidence.
Nicholas Sorras: Yes, although I do not have the mobility that the other teammates have on the pitch, I can call and guide them because I have the ability to have them in front of me.
TGH: What are your dreams in football?
Nicholas Sorras: First to play in the National Team of Australia, to play in the A League and to transfer to an England side. I think this is the best thing for a footballer. Of course I would like to play in Greece in the homeland of yiayia and papou.
TGH: In Sunday’s game against Marconi, you and the team managed to play extremely well.
Nicholas Sorras: Sunday’s game almost confirmed the saying, “you lose a goal, you will eat a goal”. Missing many opportunities in the first half, Marconi was ahead in the second. Our coach Ante Juric, with two changes, managed to turn the game around and win, albeit with difficulty, 2-1, with Madonis and Ferreira scoring. Awesome players. But the whole team is terrific. We have the mental strength until the last minutes.
Editors Note:
The position that receives, to an extent, the biggest criticism is that of the goalkeeper. Due to the uniqueness of the position, the goalkeeper often takes full responsibility for a negative result, despite the fact that the sport is a team game.
On the contrary, there are moments when he is a catalyst for his team, making saves, but a goal is able to steal his glory. Being a hero is just a moment away, a right or wrong reaction from the ‘scapegoat’.
Nicholas Sorras is admired not only for his skills, but for the maturity he has under the beams of the Sydney Olympic. Rare to be found at such a young age. So much so that it makes a footballer climb the stairs steadily one by one.