Wagga local with the world at his feet
This article originally appeared on the Daily Advertiser website.
By Matt Malone with additional reporting from AFL NSW/ACT staff.
Being selected in a “world” team is a fact few kids can boast, and Jacob Ochieng is the only representative in this year’s side to come from NSW/ACT.
Jacob caught the eye of selectors at the National Diversity Championships in Cairns last month where he impressed across half forward for the NSW/ACT All Nations team.
He will now head to a week-long camp at the Gold Coast where the world team will play the Flying Boomerangs in curtain raisers to the under 16 national championships.
“I’m looking forward to it, I’ve never been to a proper beach,” Jacob said.
“I just want to try and get better each time.”
Jacob arrived in Wagga seven years ago and has spent the last four playing with Wagga Swans, regularly featuring amongst the team’s best players, and impressing Southern NSW Participation Manager Marc Geppert.
“Jacob is a very natural athlete and his performances at the national diversity championships were consistent with his clean hands and decision making shining through,” Geppert said.
“Jacob has a natural knack for finding the footy and its exciting to think he is still in his infancy in terms of AFL experience.”
Despite his obvious talent, sport isn’t the only thing Jacob excels at.
“Jacob has exceptional ability on and off the field; he is not only very athletic but also a committed student, who is easy going, polite, and intelligent,” said AFL NSW/ACT Multicultural Programs Manager Nickie Flambouras.
“He is a great representation of the multicultural potential within the region, and I look forward to our programs developing more great young players in NSW/ACT in future.”
After originally being identified in Coffs Harbour during April’s All Nations Cup, it’s been a whirlwind ascension for the South Sudanese youngster.
Inclusion in the Under 15s GIANTS Development training program is the latest highlight of his fledgling football career, and if his track record in 2015 is any indication, come July he’ll be catching eyes again in North Queensland.
