By LIAM TWOMEY
THE search for the next Majak Daw is well and truly underway.
Earlier this year the Western Jets established the Majak Daw training squad, which sees a number of multicultural juniors throughout the Western region train with the club once a week.
As part of that squad, the Jets have also turned to local schools to help identify potential talent.
Last week saw multicultural students from schools throughout the western suburbs take part in Draft Star testing, with a select few invited to train with the Majak Daw squad.
Western Jets region manager Shane Sexton said one of the aims of the squad is to provide football opportunities to kids from multicultural backgrounds.
“We have had some really good outcomes with multicultural opportunity and development for young players and athletes,” Sexton said.
“We had Bachar Houli come through a few years ago now and he became the first practicing Muslim to play AFL footy.
“We have had a number of other boys from multicultural backgrounds get involved with the club. “Majak Daw is obviously another success story for us and we are really pleased with the outcomes that have transpired because of that.”
After taking part in a multicultural introduction and pathway presentation students were put through their paces with a number of fitness and skill tests.
Victoria University College sport director Dale Marshall said his school was rapt to be a part of the program.
“From someone who teaches in a college that has had a big increase in multicultural students coming through, I think it is great for the students to be involved and maybe even follow the steps of Majak,” he said.
“I see this as a great opportunity for people to see and for us to showcase the talent we have got out here.”
Other schools to take part included Melton Secondary College and Manor Lakes P-12 College.
Members of the Majak Daw squad will play a series of competitive matches in the second term holidays.
“It is a great learning experience for them,” Sexton said.
“They train with the TAC Cup kids who are the most talented in the region and I think they have really enjoyed it so far.”
