By JARROD POTTER
THE Bachar Houli Academy will have a local rising star in its midst, with Umid Ashna set to be part of the experience.
Ashna, 16, from Endeavour Hills, has been selected as a member of the Bachar Houli Academy – an elite high performance training camp for the top 30 14 to 16-year-old players from an Islamic background in the country.
Ashna only put his name down after finding out his mates were also trying out, but the Dandenong High School student and Hampton Park Redbacks ruckman was one of the lucky few to get selected.
“I saw it through some of my mates – they were signing up for it – and it was in the school newspaper so I decided to register then and I was lucky enough to get picked,” Ashna said.
“It’s a great honour, representing not only myself but all the Muslims in Australia and making the Muslim community bigger and better for everyone else – creating more opportunities.”
While learning more about football training and developing his skillset is an important priority at the academy for Ashna, he is most keen to hear from Houli about his experiences in the AFL.
“Training, skill work, team bonding, tell us what it’s like to be in the AFL and going to teach us a lot of techniques and to build up respect,” Ashna said.
“Just hearing different voice about what it’s like to be in the AFL and meeting someone I highly look up to and someone I wish to play like in the future.
“Ever since he (Houli) started playing AFL it opened a lot of doors for all Muslims around – not only in Victoria, but all over Australia – opened a lot of doors for everyone so I’ve always looked up to him since he started playing for the AFL – he’s been a role model for all Muslims playing around Australia.”
Ashna hopes to eventually get drafted into the AFL, but in the short term will set his focus on the Dandenong Stingrays TAC Cup squad try-outs later this year.
“Maybe one day play in the AFL if I’m lucky enough, but as long as I can play football that’s all I need,” he said.
Ashna wanted to thank the AFL, Bachar Houli and his friends and family for helping him get to this point in his football career and with his development into the future.
