Camp provides opportunity

HAVING fled wars in Africa where they watched their loved ones perish, three refugees were united in the most unlikely of places this week – an AFL talent camp.

For the past four days, Foday Massaquoi from Sierra Leone, Aime Shimirwa from Rwanda and Juma Abbas from Sudan have been able to reflect on their different upbringings and the opportunities they now have in Australia.

The three refugees have been living in Wagga Wagga for a number of years having escaped the turmoil and hardship which has devastated their countries.

They met at the AFL NSW/ACT Multicultural and Indigenous Talent Camp in Sydney this week where they had a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from some of the biggest names in the AFL.

A game which was once foreign to them – as little as six weeks ago – has marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. With it, a new dream and a desire to work hard to one day play AFL in front of thousands of people is now possible courtesy of the camp.

“Most of them have come from war-torn countries,” said Frank Newah-Jarfoi, who is a multicultural youth liaison officer in Wagga Wagga.

“This week has been a real eye opener for them because back in Africa there would never be this opportunity – they’d be fighting for survival moving from place to place and from refugee camp to refugee camp.

“But here, they’ve got this opportunity, they’ve been here for almost five days, they’ve made new friends, they’ve seen the stadium, the SCG, and they really liked it.”

These three teenagers, along with 40 others, were selected to take part in a four-day AFL talent camp in Sydney.

On the camp, they were exposed to Sydney Swans recruiters, toured the SCG, met the GIANTS’ Israel Folau and heard talks on nutrition, leadership and goal setting.

For the majority of the participants, the week provided a rare opportunity to learn more about the game and to understand what’s required to make it in the AFL.

“This is the first time I’ve ever played footy,” Foday Massaquoi said.

“I enjoyed it, even though the first time I came it was pretty difficult but I got the hang of things.

“It would be amazing to see thousands of people shouting and yelling ‘GO!’.[at the SCG] … I really want to play for the Swans.”

The camp has grown each year attracting talented sportsmen from Sydney, Illawarra and Wagga Wagga.

The week culminated in an AFL match where the Multicultural and Indigenous side defeated an Under-16 Western Suburbs team 97 to 89. 

AFL NSW/ACT Community Alliances Manager Allan McKinnon said the camp was a huge success.

“This is an unbelievable week for these young fellas from NSW and different parts of the world really,” McKinnon said.

“It’s just a delight to be able to offer this type of program for their physical development but also their mental and social development.

“70 percent of boys were playing their first ever AFL match and I think midway through the second quarter they looked very comfortable in the game.

“A lot of them will go home and reflect on the week and think wow that was just amazing with the chance to meet Israel Folau, the chance to be part of the Swans Academy program.

“They’ll go back and see their families and friends and I’m sure they’ll be looking to get into club football.”