WHEN a doctor told Rokeby teenager, Tim Dennis, to `keep moving' to overcome the potentially crippling effects of juvenile arthritis, the remarkable 14-year-old blocked out the pain and took to footy with a passion.
And with his number one supporters - father Paul and mother Angela -- willing him on, Tim has never looked back and makes a big contribution to his Lauderdale Football Club side.
Now, Tim's `against all the odds' commitment has been rewarded in becoming one of the 12 Tasmanian teenagers selected for the 2006 MBF HighMarks youth development program with AFL Tasmania.
With juvenile arthritis affecting his hips and ankles, Tim could have easily written off being physically active but his `never say die' attitude has paid off - the arthritis is under control and he is having a great time.
"Some people said I shouldn't be playing football, but I just did," Tim said today matter of factly. "Another doctor said that I had to keep moving to prevent the joints from becoming stiff. When I am playing footy, I don't even know that I have got it (juvenile arthritis)."
Along with the other MBF HighMarks candidates, beginning on 24 May, Tim will join Tasmanian Devils head coach, Matthew Armstrong, for five days of physical training and sessions on good nutrition, making positive choices and young driver safety.
At the end of the program, two of the 12 teenagers involved in the Tasmanian chapter of MBF HighMarks will be selected to go to Melbourne to participate in the HighMarks program with the Hawthorn Football Club.
MBF senior manager for Tasmania, Peter Hudson, said Tim's selection was a perfect example of how teenagers are selected for the MBF HighMarks program, which, along with the MBF KidFit Triathlon series, was recently announced as expanding nationally.
"We are not simply looking for champion young footballers, we are really looking for champion human beings with the potential to lead by example in their communities," Peter said.
AFL Tasmania chief executive, Scott Wade, said HighMarks was a core community development program for his organisation and an investment in the `social capital' of the state.
"The program is a money can't buy opportunity and it is great to see teenagers from around the state having the opportunity to live the Tassie Devils experience," Scott said.
Matthew Armstrong said that having enthusiastic HighMarks participants around the club last year helped to list his players to their first win in the 2005 season. "This is a great program for the players as mentors because they realise that they are role models in the community and there is more to footy than just playing at the weekend," Matthew said.
Contacts: Peter Hudson MBF Senior Manager Tasmania 0418 397 013 OR
Scott Wade Chief Executive AFL Tasmania 0419 024 406
Last Modified on 02/05/2006 08:02