Having played the game professionally for 15 years, then coached and worked in the media, it seems unusual that David Zdrilic has only just found his football calling.
But spend any time in the company of the ex-Socceroo and it's clear that this is his real passion. Though he still hosts SBS' A-League coverage each week, his interest in beach soccer has become an obsession. 
While the sport enjoys a cult-like following in its country of origin, Brazil, it is slowly starting to spread.
Although Brazil have won 13 of the 18 world championships, Portugal won last year's event and Russia the two before that. Zdrilic played for the Australian team that went within one kick of qualifying for the 2013 World Cup and remains, arguably, the nation's best player despite turning 41 last year.
"I first discovered beach soccer way back when I was a kid. We used to go to the beach every Sunday with the family and always had a ball to kick around on the sand," he said.
"Then when I retired I began having a kick again on Bondi Beach and it was pretty casual - we had the great Les Murray standing in between two thongs as goals.
"But I enjoyed it so much that I began playing every day. The competitive sportsman in me wanted to create a more competitive and structured version of the game which was easy to play, a lot of fun, and could be set up anywhere."
What began as a hobby to fill time and keep fit after returning from the A-League in 2007 has now become a fully fledged business venture.
Next Sunday, Zdrilic launches GOL Beach Soccer, a tournament on Sydney's Dolls Point Beach. Zdrilic has reshaped the rules and pitch size for Australia, scaling down official dimensions to fit three players per side with no goalkeepers.
"Australians love the beach and beach lifestyle. We love sport, the outdoors and love football. It's just such a natural fit," Zdrilic said.
"We have the best beaches in the world and with football enjoying the highest participation rate among all sports, Gol is a game that matches up everything we enjoy."
Zdrilic believes playing on sand is much easier on the body than the rock hard Australian pitches and indoor surfaces.
"You can trace a lot of soft-tissue, knee and ankle injuries to the fact that grass and indoor are often just too hard," he said. "Many of the world's biggest teams and players use sand as a way of bringing injured players gently back to full fitness. The sand acts as a cushion providing a low-impact surface. That means players can push a lot harder than they would on grass or indoor."
The initial tournament will be packed with players of all skill levels and experiences, including a host of ex-Socceroos such as Steve Corica and Zeljko Kalac, both regulars in Zdrilic's daily morning matches on Tamarama Beach.
A curious Alessandro Del Piero once turned up for a match - "as you would expect, he was brilliant at it" - and next week Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic will be stepping back to play.
Teams from Football United, a charity which uses football for social engagement, and a local special-needs group will also take part.