ANTHONY Young has the talent to make a life out of football, now he just needs the funding to make it happen.
The Moe Lions young gun was chosen for the Australian Indigenous Boomerang team to contest the NAB under 16 national championships next month in Sydney, following an outstanding showing for the Victorian indigenous side in Townsville.
With Anthony scheduled for an international high performance tour in December with the Boomerang side, and School Sport Victoria nationals in Darwin in August, family friend Amanda McMahon is leading a fundraising campaign to help the young Lion realise his sporting potential.
“(We’re) trying to ensure he has got the funding… just to be able to get him to achieve his footy career and let him go as far as he can,” McMahon said.
As one of four children supported by a single parent, Anthony’s precocious ability has been curtailed by degrees due to playing and travel expenses.
“He’s got the skill (and) he’s a very humble and modest young man,” McMahon said.
“He doesn’t tell anyone what his achievements are, and without funding and fundraising he won’t have the opportunity to take it to the full extent.”
The Newborough local began his football journey aged six years and has excelled as a versatile midfielder, winger and forward.
That journey has a clear destination.
“I’d just like to play (in the) AFL, that’s about it,” Anthony said.
A recent brush with the big time gave the Lowanna College student his first glimpse at the level he aims to reach.
Anthony made his first appearance on Melbourne Cricket Ground soil alongside the Richmond Football Club, the team he aspires to one day play for, in May for a Dreamtime ‘Earth Offering’, a memorable cultural and football experience.
“I was pretty nervous… I had leaves and passed them to the players (and shook their hands),” Anthony said.
With the path laid out before him, Anthony is looking forward to the challenges ahead with his representative indigenous teams.
“(I’m looking forward to) playing football somewhere else and meeting new people,” he said.
“It has been good versing other kids and getting to know everyone.”
A trivia night and football memorabilia auction will be held on Friday, 19 July at the Turfside Function Centre, Moe to raise money for Anthony’s travel and playing expenses.
For more information or to book a table phone Amanda McMahon on 0411 962 441.
