Change of goals for teen
Chris Georgakopolous
Originally printed in the Canterbury-Bankstown Express
The Yagoona resident was selected in the Swans Academy in 2011 while he was still playing football. When chosen, he swapped sports and has not looked back.
“My dad followed AFL when I was younger and we used to go to games, but I never played,” he said.
“I tried out for the Swans Academy and made it and then joined Western Suburbs to play AFL.
“We get coached by former Swans player Michael O’Loughlin, who is really inspirational, and I have improved immensely.”
Christopher has been nominated for The Express’ Young Achiever award as part of the NewsLocal Junior Sports Star competition.
The youngster is training for a professional sports career and recently represented NSW/ACT in the All Nations Cup.
The competition pitted the best junior multicultural players against each other.
“My Dad is Fijian-Indian and mum Greek so I qualified to trial and I made it,” he said. “We came third and it was a good experience.
“I aim to stay in the Swans Academy through to the under-18s, which I know will be tough, but it is what I have to do to try and become a professional.”
Picture: TIM CLAPIN
