Meet power man Neil Etheridge

MANILA, Philippines - A quick glimpse at Neil Etheridge’s Twitter account will prove to be quite a surprise. This quintessential athlete, pure testosterone out on the football field, has a penchant for tweeting inspirational quotes.  Here is a sampling:  “Suffering produces character; character produces hope; and hope does not disappoint us.”

Neil is not the stereotypical dumb jock.  At the press launch of Neil as the new brand ambassador of the complete sports drink, Powerade Ion4, he was gracious and charming to his fans, a bit shy and slightly guarded with the bloggers and journalists, and playful and childlike with his manager and handler. Juxtapose these quick impressions with the fiercely competitive and intense goalkeeper of the Fulham Football Club and the Philippine National Football Team, and the question arises: Will the real Neil Etheridge please stand up?

He says mischievously,  “People are really surprised when they find out that I like ballet and theater. What I appreciate is the hard work and determination that it takes to get to that level of performance. When we were in Dubai (for a training camp with his Azkals teammates), the prince, who is the captain of their Olympic Clay Pigeon shooting team, invited us to their practice, and I may not know a thing about the sport, but seeing that level of skill and excellence is great.”

When the topic shifts to the Olympics, as Powerade Ion4 has been officially named the official sports drink of the London 2012 Olympics, he smiles slyly, and admits, “The funny thing is that I just might be here in the Philippines while the Olympics is going on.  I keep on telling friends (in England) how beautiful the beaches are here, and we will be here this summer.” Neil gave up his chance of ever representing England when he joined the Azkals, but he proudly declares, “I believe that this proud country has a massive future in football; of course, first we have to prove ourselves here in Asia, and then it will take a little longer on the world stage.  But I would never have signed on if I didn’t believe in the talent here, just as I would never have signed up for Powerade if I didn’t really know the difference it makes. Dehydration is a serious problem, ask an athlete, and so I am so happy to be part of this great company; to represent a breakthrough innovation in hydration.”

Powerful words, indeed.

PHILIPPINE STAR:  You are one of those players who can improve everyone around him.  Where does that power come from?

NEIL ETHERIDGE:  Well, I like pressure.  I would rather play in front of 100,000 people instead of just 10.  For example, when we lost to Malaysia (in the semis of the 2010 Suzuki Cup), it was really devastating, but it just made me want to win more. Mentally, I am focused on pushing myself forward.  Growing up, we moved around a lot, so football was what I did every day, a constant.

When fans and commentators say that the Azkals do not play as well when you are not there, what can you say about that observation?

That is a really hard question to answer. It feels great to be wanted, but football is a team sport, it is really more about the team.

Powerful athlete: International football player and Powerade Ion4 ambassador Neil Etheridge continues to lead the hydration revolution with the complete sports drink, new Powerade Ion4.

Ion4 refers to calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium, which add up to four ions essential for complete rehydration, which adds to extra power. What would you consider as four elements in your life that give you power?

Something physical or emotional?

Answer it as it relates to you.

Family. Football. Happiness. Compassion.

What have you learned in football that has become part of you?

Discipline. Patience. Respect. Playing sports has made me realize that there is nothing you need that isn’t inside yourself. You have to learn to power up and complete your goal.

What advice would you give young football players?

Well, I just tweeted today: Be a first-rate version of yourself, rather than a second-rate version of somebody else. If you study the lives of great athletes, there is no one script that they followed.

What does the future hold?

Well, I just see myself moving forward. I am proud that since I got to play in a game in the Europa league, I became the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to do it, and I want to go on, play on the premier league and with the Azkals, just take it as far as I can. I am only 22, and some players are 39, so I have a long way to go. I really want to put the Philippines on the map of football, just as I want to leave my own footprint on the game. I want everything.