Bendigo City FC a welcoming home for refugees

SEPTEMBER Htoo Moo lives and breathes soccer.

As a five-year-old in a Karenni refugee camp on the border of Myanmar and Thailand, September started playing school soccer and dreaming of a life elsewhere.

He would spend hours each day playing, with his school team and after hours with other camp children.

When he was 12, September's dream was realised when he and his family - mum, dad and two brothers - were chosen to come to Australia.

Three years on and nicely settled in Bendigo, September is still playing soccer and still chasing his dreams.

At 15 he is arguably the youngest player in the National Premier League Victoria men's competition.

The Bendigo South East College student has lined up in three matches for Bendigo City FC's senior team, as well as a host of games in the club's under-20 and under-18 teams.

September said his passage to Australia was made a little easier after his sister had settled here years earlier.

The transition to life in Bendigo was made even simpler, through his love of the world game.

"When the family came to Bendigo, I started playing soccer and making friends right away," September said.

"At first I played for (Bendigo Amateur Soccer League club) Strathdale under-12s, then under-14s and then I played for Bendigo FC under-15s for two years and now under-20s and seniors."

The midfielder's first season in the under-15 team netted nine goals and five assists.

September said the day he was picked for his first senior game was one of the proudest of his life.

He hopes to take his soccer to an even higher level in the years ahead.

Until then there are other goals to be ticked off, like turning his hand to Australian rules football with BSE College, where he is part of the Athlete Development Program (ADP).

"I'm going to try for the school team this year - have a go," September laughed.

"I've haven't played before, but I will give it a go."

A sincere and thoughtful young man, September has never forgotten his origins.

The teenager reflects often on his days in the refugee camp and of those left behind.

He talks proudly of the soccer-talent base in the camps and how former teammates have made him not only a better player, but better person.

"I always think about how lucky I am to be in Australia and come to this school," he said.

“I am very proud to be Karenni in Australia today.

“I hope that one day more Australians know more about Burma and how we have got here.

“Through my sport I want people to learn.”

September's ADP year 10 co-ordinator Chris Hogan gave Bendigo's rising star a 10 out of 10 for character and work ethic

"He's a super impressive kid, incredibly polite and does everything you ask," said Hogan, who is captain of the Bendigo Braves's SEABL team.

"He'a superstar soccer player, but more important than that he's a sensational person.

"Nothing ever fazes him - I don't think you could faze him.

"It's incredible to think he'splaying senior soccer at 15. 

"We had a Braves session here at school and then went down to the soccer pitch and played against September and his mates - he taught us a lesson."