By JARROD POTTER
WURUNDJERI blood runs proudly through Will Smith’s veins.
Smith, 14, from Berwick, will take to the field as part of the Victorian/Tasmanian combined Kickstart Championships team – a team comprising the states’ best 15-and-under Indigenous footballers.
He has been a junior football phenomenon in the South East Juniors – claiming a club best and fairest award last season for his Cranbourne under-14 team and is hoping to push himself at the KickStart Championships as his next step ahead in his football journey.
For Smith another great allure of the championships will be to experience and learn about his heritage and culture and proudly don the Victorian/Tasmanian jersey.
“There are not many Indigenous players from Victoria and it would be great for another Victorian Indigenous person to go up and play in the AFL, so it’s very humbling,” Smith said about gaining selection in the KickStart team.
“Especially because around the Berwick area, Deakyn (younger brother) and I used to be the only Indigenous kids at my primary school and I might be only one of a few at my high school, so it’s good to meet up with 50 other Indigenous players and it’s good to get together and have a kick.”
Going through the program with his cousin Kaleb Van Beek – Smith managed to impress the KickStart selectors to give the run-and-carry midfielder a shot at the national championships later this year and Smith wants to keep the VIC/TAS success going.
“The coaches were telling us last year we won every game but lost the grand final, so we have to live up to that expectation as well and hopefully we can do the same as those boys or even win it,” Smith said.
His hopes for the local level are to extend the Eagles success in 2013 and hopefully win that elusive premiership.
“Want to make a grand final and actually win it this year – we made one in under-12s, but didn’t win it. We’ve got a good team this year, so I hope we can win a premiership,” Smith said.
Smith wanted to thank his parents – Jade and Ben – younger brother Deakyn and his KickStart coaches.The KickStart squad heads to Halls Gap for the State Camp from 21-23 March.
