Benjamin Motuba, Australian visit 24/6/05 to 25/9/ 05- Three months

27 September 2005
By Phindile Khambule

When I was in Australia, I played for Lyrup Lions football Club. It is situated in South Australia, River land in the little country town called Lyrup near Renmark and Mildura.

Besides playing footy, I was attending Coaching, Sport First Aid courses and also developing young players, who are called Auskicks around Australia. In my first three weeks of arrival, I played three games and broke my collarbone. It was too bad for me because I had to play in the International Cup that was held in Melbourne, Australia. I was the Vice Captain of our national team (South African Buffaloes), which represented South Africa and only managed to play one game against Spain. The team was very successful as it won against Japan, giving it two victories for 2005. In 2002 the team did not manage a single victory.

Although our team (Lyrup Lions) lost in the preliminary, it was really a great experience for me. Through my experience, I believe that I will give it back with developing the young ones in our Country. My wish is to develop Australian Football through out the country and inspire both males and females to be active in the Sport.

I would like to thank AFL South Africa who made it possible for me to go to Australia to gain more experience of football and also my Australian Sponsor, Mrs Betty Lloyd. In the future, Betty has promised to donate trophies for excellence in junior development of Australian Football in Itsoseng, Mafikeng, Ramatlabama and South Africa in general.