It’s a long way to the top for a boy from Vanuatu

By Coen Lammers

Brian Kaltak is still pinching himself and can't even find the words to describe the football fairytale that has changed his life forever.

Only two years ago, the professional ambitions of the Vanuatu captain were heading nowhere after a decade of bouncing around clubs in the Pacific, while his national team was in disarray and had to abandon the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Qatar because of Covid infections in the team.

At that lowest point, back in Doha trying to support his disappointed team-mates, one phone call from a connection in Australia altered his path forever.

"I was in Qatar for the World Cup qualifiers and got a call to come for a trial at the Mariners," says Kaltak who grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

Within two seasons, the 30-year-old from Port Vila has won back-to-back A League titles and the continental AFC Cup with the Central Coast Mariners and inspired his beloved Vanuatu to their first ever OFC Nations Cup final in Port Vila in June.

"It's crazy, I don't know how to put it into words. It all just happened like 'that'. From making my debut to winning the A-League and the Asian Cup it went like a flash. It's crazy.

"I believe in what I am doing, I know that everything that happens to me is planned in advance and I just have to work hard and be ready at the right moment," says the Vanuatu talisman, who's face is plastered on billboard all over Port Vila, either promoting football or his personal sponsors.

A few years ago, Kaltak could happily walk the streets of his hometown unnoticed, but all that has changed.

"I have become an inspiration for a lot of people and everyone wants a piece of me. Normally it is my off-season, so I just want to come back here and chill, but now people want me to come here and there and do this and that. It is what it is and I love that people enjoy my success."

Kaltak's football journey has been long and slow one, since getting a first taste of overseas football at Waterside Karori in Wellington.

"It's been a long journey. Success didn't happen overnight, it takes time, especially for a kid from the islands," says Kaltak, who is grateful for OFC President Lambert Maltock brokering the first adventure in New Zealand for the 18-year-old talent from the VFF Academy.

The investment has paid off handsomely for Maltock, who says Kaltak's success with the Mariners has changed the perception of Pacific Island footballers forever.

He says that Kaltak's rising star has opened doors with other clubs in Australia and New Zealand and he is currently negotiating for OFC players to be exempt from the foreign players restrictions to allow more clubs to give more talents from the islands a chance to impress professional clubs.

Kaltak's stint in Wellington was short, but he was hooked on the lifestyle of a full-time footballer.

"It was a cool experience. I was really young and had to learn so much, not just in football but experiencing the life overseas. I was constantly dealing with new things. I grew as much as a person, but not just in football, but life in general."

After returning home, young Brian was keen to grab any opportunity and started a nomadic journey via clubs in the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, back in Vanuatu and eventually got another shot in New Zealand with Tasman United in the National League.

"I experienced being a footballer and I loved it, and just kept going. I just winged it and followed what I love to do."

Kaltak says his first big break was joining Auckland City, regular winners of the OFC Champions League and participants at the FIFA Club World Cup.

"They are one of the best clubs in Oceania, and at Auckland City I learned the most. I had already some skills, but they gave me so much more."

Kaltak says that football, like other careers, relies heavily on personal contacts, so he worked hard on creating his own networks.

"In Vanuatu we don't have a pathway to a higher level, so what I did from the start is I made friends with friends who could connect me to where I am today. So I want to thank all those people who have helped me over the years. If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be where I am today."

The Vanuatu captain is aware that OFC is working on creating better pathways for their young talents.

"We need to get our players scouted overseas. They need player agents to help you get a contract overseas and we don't have any here."

But player agents are only one small part of the puzzle to give more island talents the opportunities Kaltak has enjoyed.

"There is a big gap between the Pacific and New Zealand and Australia as far as player development. We have players born with lots of talent, but we need the development systems to make them a better player," says Kaltak who calls on the OFC associations to start investing into player development.

"We are not that far behind, but we just need the right people to drive that development and you will see a lot more Pacific players at a higher level of football.

"There are a lot more Brian Kaltaks out there. There is a lot of potential in the Pacific, but we need systems to take us to another level and seriously challenge the All Whites."

The arrival of Brazilian coach Juliano Schmeling has already reaped benefits with Vanuatu's spot in the OFC Nations Cup final, but Kaltak says it's only the starting point.

"It is good to have a Brazilian coach here, but that's not enough, we also need fitness coaches and other experts to make our team strong, physically but mentally as well," says the captain who has demonstrated incredible personal strength in his pursuit of football success.

"Talent is not enough. Hard work and dedication drives me forward. I was born with what I have, but to make it into the top level of football you need more than that.

"You need the right people around you. You need to push yourself very hard and be smart about what you do. It's not easy, and there will be obstacles, but you have to train yourself to be strong."

Kaltak's message to young players is to stay the course, focus on their dreams and not be afraid to face their fears.

"Sometimes you have to take risks, if you want to chase your dreams, because if you don't, you might grow old and regret that you didn't take risk."

-OFC