Athan Grizos.
The Inaugural Football Festival was held in Townsville in July as part of Football Federation Australia’s ten-year Indigenous Football Development Program.
The Indigenous Football Development Program aims at increasing participation of indigenous people in Football, assisting in identifying talented young players for further development and contributing to achieving improved health, social and economic outcomes for young Indigenous people.
Victoria, participating under the name Marngrook Meenteel, was represented by an Under 16 boy’s team with players coming from areas including Shepparton, Moama-Echuca, Gippsland, Geelong and Melbourne.
One of the success stories to come out of the Indigenous Football Festival is Athan Grizos. Athan, 13, is one of two players to have competed in the Indigenous Football Festival and make the Victorian Champions League in 2009 representing the Central zone in the Under 14’s age group playing in the midfield.
Athan’s interest in football came after playing at school, and in 2004 he joined the Brunswick City SC and has continued along the player pathway currently participating with the Richmond Junior Soccer Club.
In 2009, Athan was accepted into the Maribyrnong College Specialist Sports Program for football and earlier this month, he was rewarded for his academic performance at the Maribyrnong College student awards ceremony.
His dream is to represent his country at the highest possible level. Athan is a positive role-model for other Aboriginal young kids who wish to play football.
Last updated: Tuesday December 22, 2009 2:53PM
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