By Nick Creely
Never give up on your dreams, because the moment you do, you give up on yourself.
This sentiment embodies everything that Rowville Football Club’s Nelly Yoa stands for.
He is a former soccer star who, despite enduring a devastating and life altering situation, has risen up in the face of adversity to firmly set himself into the sights of AFL club Collingwood.
In 2011, after attending a beauty pageant in Braybrook with some close mates, Nelly, one of the most sought after young soccer players in the country, was savagely attacked by a group of men with machetes after trying to defend one of his friends – sustaining life-threatening injuries.
The Journal has closely followed Nelly’s journey from the time he was attacked to his remarkable recovery.
The Sudanese born athlete was on the verge of a contract with A-League club Melbourne Victory before the attack.
Now 27, he was initially told by doctors he may never walk again, let alone play the sport he held dear to his heart and gave him countless amounts of joy.
“The doctor informed me at the start that I had a 1 per cent survival rate of even being alive, and the chances of playing sport, let alone walking again, were very minimal,” he said.
“It was truly heartbreaking. Once you’ve been told that you just don’t know what to do. I felt lost.
“I was extremely close with the Melbourne Victory – if it wasn’t for that incident I think I’d be playing professionally and possibly representing Australia, but you can’t look back like that.”
But true to himself, he overcame the voices in his head telling him he couldn’t and he not only walked but ran towards a dream.
“‘Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ is what I’ve lived by, I guess, and that saying played a massive part for me – I use that saying to motivate others now – there is always a light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
“I had a lot of friends for support – some of my friends were competing for the Paralympics – the chances of them being successful was obviously hard because of their disability, but they pushed through and they inspire me.
“I realized I had all the ability to come back again, but disability is permanent and I had a great opportunity,” he said.
After recovering fully from the attack and building up his fitness base, Nelly had another crack at realizing his soccer dream – however couldn’t quite obtain that lucrative contract he dreamt of.
Trying to find direction in his life, Nelly turned to many people for support to find the answer, with a legendary mentor helping him find direction and steering him.
“Usain Bolt is one of my mentors. He is someone who has encouraged me to never give up and follow my dreams.
“He has played a massive role for me and he has been a great friend,” he said.
“He is someone who I can call up when I need something or need a word of encouragement – he certainly helped in many ways.”
Then last year, Nelly decided to switch codes, electing to try out Aussie Rules after spending his entire childhood and early adulthood life plying his trade with the round ball.
“Collingwood definitely have me on their radar now after just missing out, and they recommended I play for Rowville in the Eastern Footy League, which is a strong league just under the VFL,” he said.
“They asked me to go down there. They have a great set-up which has produced a lot of AFL players.
“I’ve now moved there to play football.
“I was asked to move there by Collingwood for the next 10 games until the season concludes and then, hopefully, be in the frame for November’s AFL draft – I want to be on the main list for next year’s campaign.”
Nelly is eligible to be taken by Collingwood in 2018 as Category B Rookie as a migrant rookie after just missing out last year meaning he won’t need to go through the draft to land at the Pies.
Off-field Nelly is turning even more heads with his incredible social work with troubled youths as a way of giving back and helping the psychological healing process.
“Most of the troubled youth in the south-east suburbs, especially Dandenong, I sort of try and work as a mentor and try to use what I’ve gone through in the past as a positive pathway for these youth to be successful,” he said.
Nelly’s journey since 2011 has not gone unnoticed – he has appeared on radio stations around the country and was involved in a short film about his story that is glittered with positive messages, and explores his struggles and eventual triumph.
Standing at 195cm and known for his supreme fitness and athletic traits, Nelly made his debut for Rowville on 3 June against Blackburn at Seebeck Oval, not looking out of place as he continues to learn the game and develop his craft but, more importantly, was able to sing the song when the Hawks got over the line by under a goal.
“I was very pumped – it was very exciting and just such a great experience,” he said.
