CANNING Vale’s Kaydn Wilson has a dream of one day playing AFL for the Geelong Cats.
And if his dedication to the sport to date is any indication, this dream may become a reality.
The-10-year-old has played for the Canning Vale Cougars since he was five, with his favourite positions being centre or on the backline.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“You get to tackle and it is fun because it is a team sport and you get to work as a team and share the ball around,” he said.
“The backline is an important part of the game and in the centre you have to try get the ball in the forward line.”
His footy idols include Gary Ablett Snr and Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield, who won the 2016 Brownlow Medal.
Kaydn’s mother Jen said he played football every Sunday and daily with his two younger brothers.
“When he’s not playing football, he is running laps of our backyard and completing his own beep tests to keep his fitness level as best as he can,” Mrs Wilson said.
“To say he is obsessed with football would be an understatement.
“He is determined to make the AFL and he shows resilience and determination that makes me certainly believe he has what it takes if he puts his mind to it.”
Mrs Wilson said her husband Luke had been a keen football player and now coached Kaydn.
“Kaydn has been down at a football oval since he was born and had a football in his hand before he could walk,” she said.
“Kaydn lives and breathes football. If he is not watching football on TV, he has a football in his hands and is playing, whether it is alone or with one of his brothers. During his ‘fantasy’ backyard games I often hear him playing, umpiring, commentating and cheering his own players. “
Mrs Wilson said Kaydn was a team player who shared the ball and helped encourage team mates to also be their best.
Kayden is a student at Caledinia Primary School in Canning Vale and is faction vice-captain due to his sportsmanship.
MORE: Bellevue: historic blunder feared over Darling Range Hotel proposal
MORE: Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council leads the way in sustainability