Duom Dawam has taken his football to great heights in a short space on of time. 89163_04 Picture: DAMIAN VISENTINI
By LIAM TWOMEY
WHEN Sudanese born Duom Dawam first arrived in Australia, it seemed like a pretty daunting place.
He had just spent two years living as a refugee in Egypt before he was able to move to Melbourne’s western suburbs to start his new life in Wyndham.
Not speaking any English, Dawam enrolled in a specific school to help him learn the language and the speed with which he was able to pick it up was an early indication he was going to fit right in.
As well as being a quick learner it wasn’t long before Dawam’s outstanding athleticism had heads turning in the local sporting scene.
A keen basketball fan, he got his first taste of Aussie Rules by accident.
“I was watching TV and I just saw this game. I didn’t know what was happening and I just started playing at school,” he said.
“It was Collingwood and Geelong.
“I barrack for Collingwood because they’re the only team I knew back then.”
Keen to work on his skills further, Dawam joined Wyndhamvale Football Club, the same club where North Melbourne’s Majak Daw began his career.
In fact, Daw was a key figure in Dawam’s early development.
“I sort of played with him and watched him play because I used to be at the same club as Majak,” he said.
“To see him achieve what he has done is just making me want to get to that level to be able to do what he is. It makes me look up to him and other Sudanese kids look up to him as well.
“He used to give me advice. I don’t see him as much anymore but I play local footy with his brother. He is massive as well.
“I’m 200cm but not as big as Majak yet. I’m just tall and skinny.”
The Western Jets have also kept a close eye on the 16 year old’s development since he entered the region and he will play his first full year for the TAC Cup side in 2013.
Representative football will be nothing new for the young talent after he starred for the World Side at the National Under 16 carnival earlier this year.
Coached by former AFL players Chris Johnston and Xavier Clarke, the Manor Lakes College student impressed all around him with his eagerness to improve.
After the tournament he was named in the AIS Academy Squad, which is designed to identify and develop some of the best junior footballers from around Australia.
“Going in on day one I didn’t know anyone but we started to get to know each other and the coaches were really good,” Dawam said.
“I learnt so much off Chris Johnson and Xavier Clarke. I was able to get heaps of tips off them.
“I didn’t think I was even ready for that (AIS Academy Squad) level yet. I was just thinking of myself as still a beginner in the sport.”
The accolades keep coming for Dawam who is also a recipient of the inaugural Jim Stynes Scholarship.
The award recognises Stynes’ contribution as an outstanding footballer, administrator, charity worker and writer.
As part of a partnership with the AFL, The Australian Federal Government is providing three million dollars to establish the scholarship fund to help disadvantaged footballers chase their dreams.
Dawam said it was an honour to win the award and he would stop at nothing to achieve his football goals.
“Looking back at what my family went through in Sudan and all that stuff, I want to make them happy and make myself happy. It makes me want to make my dreams come true,” he said.
“I want to go hard and just never look back and never regret anything. I just want to take these chances that I have been given.
“Because of Majak it makes me want to get to the AFL and then if I can make it, more Sudanese kids will get involved.”
