African sons are rising
Ugandan refugee Emmanuel Irra's parents took him and his five siblings out of a country torn by civil unrest to give them hope in life.
While his country's recent history is littered with crimes against humanity, Irra's childhood memories are of playing soccer on any spare patch of dirt he could find, honing his side-step as he dodged stray dogs and goats.
He can't even confidently say which part of Uganda he is from. All the 17-year-old wants is to be an AFL star like his idols Ben Cousins and Chris Judd.
The emergence of Irra and North Melbourne's Sudanese rookie Majak Daw was highlighted yesterday in AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou's speech to the National Press Club, which featured his dream of "one million participants and one million AFL club members in Australian football by 2016".
Demetriou said embracing multicultural communities was a key priority to grow the game.
As South Africa prepares to bring a team to the International Cup to be played in Melbourne and Sydney in August, Demetriou said indigenous, multicultural and women's school programs would be a priority for the AFL as part of its investment in the game over the next five years.
He hoped Irra and Daw would become building blocks.
"Exciting young players who bring to the game more than their talent on the field," he said.
"Young men who also enrich the culture of our game - a game which needs them more than they need us."
Irra was a standout player for the World team coached by ex-Swan Michael O'Loughlin in the second division of last year's under-16s national championships in Blacktown, Sydney, getting 39 possessions in one match. His four SANFL games for South Adelaide this season have seen him emerge as a likely starter in SA's first match of the under-18s national championships, against Queensland in Blacktown on Saturday week.
Irra's March birth date in 1994 makes him eligible as a 17-year-old selection Greater Western Sydney can take and trade to a rival club for an established player under the new club's rich concessions.
The teenager is on the radar of many clubs, including Fremantle and West Coast.
"It just sends a great message to other people from their communities that you can make the grade and that there is a pathway in our sport that is rapidly becoming their sport, too," AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan said.
"Majak (Daw) getting on an AFL list has broken down enormous barriers and I think Emmanuel is a very talented midfielder who can do similar things for the people from Africa in SA. He's just got the best passion for the game and once I saw him play I just knew he had so much to offer.
"His use of the ball, right and left, is first class.
"He hits targets, wins his own contested footy and is slick with his hands and decision-making, so it's pretty exciting.
"He's certainly on an upward spiral and to do what he's done already would suggest he's got real AFL potential, no doubt.
"He's a legitimate draft prospect from what we've seen and we're going to really watch his progress.
"It's like Emmanuel's whole family has been playing all their lives because there's not much he doesn't know about the game.
"He wants to break new ground and be the first guy to come through from his country. It's wonderful for the sport."
Irra could not speak a word of English when he arrived in Australia when he was 11 years old.
He is currently completing Year 12.
He has never been back home to Uganda but speaks regularly by phone to friends and family, including his grandparents.
His memories of his early childhood are scant at best.
"I just remember playing soccer after school with my mates on dirt, anywhere really," he said.
"I just remember it being very fun, enjoyable.
"Some people would just gather at the park and play wherever, a hangout place sort of.
"My parents said that it was hard (for them in Uganda), but sometimes they find it hard here as well.
"I was just a little kid and when we moved to Australia it happened so quickly, it was pretty cool.
"I was sad, but at the same time really excited to see a new place I'd never seen before.
"My life would be very different if we weren't here. I don't know how to thank them (his parents)."
In last weekend's loss to SANFL reigning premiers Central District, Irra kicked two goals with the boots given to him by the AFL.
But he clearly joins the AFL in their hope of bigger goals he will kick for the promotion of the game.
"I never really liked football or anything ... I always had a kick, but I was scared to get hurt or something," he said.
"But I started liking it more and more, having fun and learning about yourself, growing as a person and making more friends.
"It's helping me with making hard decisions in your life as well.
"To be the first (AFL) player from Uganda, I would be very privileged and very happy.
"I think a lot of kids like myself would not really like it at first, but then they would get into it.
"The talent is enormous and we've got the build, I think.
"It's just the tactics and where to run and that and you only get that from playing the game more.
"I love it, every day kicking the footy at every opportunity I get.
"I just love the sport, you know.
"I carry a football everywhere, I don't care what anyone else thinks.
"I love Ben Cousins, Chris Judd and Cyril Rioli and the way they play - fast.
"I want to play at the highest level, which is AFL, and that's it."
