By JARROD POTTER
WURUNDJERI spirit is alive within Beau Anthony.
Anthony, 14, from Hampton Park, will take to the field as part of the Victorian/Tasmanian combined Kickstart Championships team – a team comprised of the states’ best 15-and-under Indigenous footballers.
After an average match trying out for the team – held at North Melbourne Football Club’s amazing Arden Street facilities – Anthony was surprised to find he’d earned a place in the final 22-man squad that heads up to Queensland this week.
“It means a lot to me,” Anthony said.
“I didn’t think I was going to make it… don’t think I did a good job in the actual game when we played in the performance testing at North Melbourne.”
After eight years playing football in the South East Juniors – for Hampton Park and now Narre North Foxes – the Dandenong region Kickstart representative will get the chance to take his talents to the next level as he represents the southern states – combined team.
For Anthony, experiencing and learning about his heritage and proudly donning the Victorian/Tasmanian jersey will be an experience in itself.
“I got told I’m Wurundjeri,” Anthony said.
“At the championships I just want to learn better skills and better leadership skills to bring back to my club.
“It means a lot (to be in a team with other indigenous footballers) and will be fun to be around them.
Anthony wanted to thank his grandparents for their support and his coach Greg Brittain for helping take him to matches and training sessions.
The KickStart squad heads to Cairns this week for the National Kickstart Championships from 10 to 15 April.
