Kaz Patafta

Patafta attended the ACTAS in 2004 and then graduated to the Australian Institute of Sport. Whilst at the AIS, Patafta was frequently called up to the Australian U-17 national team by Ange Postecoglou and in 2005 was called up to the Australian U-20 national team. After graduating from the AIS Patafta had been ignored by Australia's A-League clubs before the Netherlands' PSV Eindhoven, whose interest was due to the recommendation of then Australia national football team manager Guus Hiddink, and Benfica expressed interest in signing him.

Benfica

2006–07 season

Patafta joined Benfica B squad as a 16-year-old having impressed at international youth level, however, initially his transfer was blocked by Football Federation Australia as he was under the age of 18. After receiving a clearance he eventually joined the squad in January 2006. Patafta featured in a pre-season friendly for the club's first-team against CF Estrela da Amadora on 15 August 2006. Patafta was part of the Benfica youth team during the 2006-07 U-19 Championship season where he scored 2 goals in 13 league games. His first goal for the youth-team came in a 2–1 home victory against Pescadores on 25 November 2006, where he was substituted onto the field for João Ferreira in the 52nd minute and scored Benfica's second goal in the 88th minute with an open shot after receiving the ball from a cross. Patafta scored his second goal for the youth-team in the 5th minute of a 3–1 away victory…

Australia U–17 national team

In 2004, Patafta was included in the Australia U-17 national team squad for a tour of the United States in December 2004 but due to injury he was not considered by Ange Postecoglou for the squad the 20-man squad for a five-match tour of Chile against Palestino U–17, Universidad Catolica U–17, Colo-Colo U–17 and Chile U–17. Australia were crowned champions of the 2005 OFC U-17 Championship and qualified for the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Peru. Patfta was selected for a Four-Nations tournament in Peru against Costa Rica U–17, Ecuador U–17 and Peru U–17 in July 2005 as preparation for the U-17 World Championship. Patafta set up a goal in Australia's 2–2 draw with Peru when his free kick was played in from near the corner and headed in by Jamie Cumming. Patafta was named team captain of the 19-man squad by Ange Postecoglou for the U-17 World Championship in September, wearing the number #10 shirt, he played in all three group-stage matches of the competition and was part of the team's starting–11. Australia finished in third place of their respective group, after losing to Turkey (1–0) and to Mexico (3–0) and winning against Uruguay (2–1).

Australia U–20 national team

In 2006, the Australia U-20 national team participated in a five-match South American tour in against Colo-Colo U–20, Universidad de Chile U–20, Chile U–20 and Argentina U–20. The South American tour was preparation for the 2006 AFC Youth Championship in…

Kaz Patafta was born in Canberra, ACT to parents of Croatian and Laotian descent. Growing up, Patafta played football at northside-based junior football clubs Belsouth FC and Belnorth FC. He was a student at Radford College. Patafta attended Deakin University in 2011 to undertake a Bachelor of Laws, which he completed in 2014. He subsequently completed his Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Australian National University.

Australia OFC U-17 Championship: 2005