The multi-code kid

This article was first published in the Canterbury-Bankstown Express.

By Adam Vidler

A CODE switch has given Punchbowl AFL player Joshua Wright all the enthusiasm he needs to be the best at the sport he loves.

After taking up AFL last year, the 11-year-old has been invited to join the Sydney Swans Academy.

As an eight-year-old junior soccer player for the Yagoona Lions, he scored a contract with Italian Serie A giants AC Milan. However, dad Stephen said the opportunity had brought too much pressure.

‘‘He came home one day and said he couldn’t handle it and didn’t want to do it anymore,’’ Mr Wright said.

Joshua then decided he wanted to try AFL. He joined the Bankstown Bombers in 2011 and was hooked. His parents took him to a Swans try-out and he was asked to return in September.

On Tuesday he received a written invitation from former Swans coach Paul Roos to join the Academy’s under-12 team in 2013.