FOOTBALLER Coen Cooper has been named in AFL Victoria’s Kickstart squad.
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Cooper is among 22 other Victorian players set to compete in the Indigenous and Multicultural National Championships in Coffs Harbour later this month.
The championships will bring together the most talented under-15 Indigenous and multicultural footballers in the country for a round-robin style tournament.
The squad was trimmed down to the final 22 after players went on a future leader’s camp at the Brambuk Cultural Centre in Halls Gap last week.
Players from across Victoria and Tasmania have been selected in the team.
The camp began with a practice match against St Patrick’s College before the group trekked their way to the Grampians for a weekend of cultural strengthening.
Players visited cultural significant sites in Halls Gap and completed activities such as painting and boomerang throwing.
Organisers said this camp was more about character building after players were put through their paces at a high performance camp last month.
The high performance camp saw players complete sprint and agility tests as well as have their standing and running leap measures.
Players also had to complete the beep test.
AFL Indigenous Programs manager Aaron Clark said Cooper was an outstanding young man.
He said the youngster found the abseiling difficult, but managed to overcome his fears and complete the task.
“To see them find their feet and use their new mates to help them overcome their fears and other obstacles was really rewarding,” Clark said.
The national championships will be held between April 10 and 16.