Joel’s special Suns experience

Matthew Galea

September 20 2014

Shepparton News

Berry Street’s motto is, ‘‘We never give up’’, and that is an ethos serving Joel Blackwell superbly.

Blackwell attends Berry Street’s Shepparton campus and is a keen soccer player.

He plays for Euroa’s team in Shepparton Junior Soccer Association under-15 competition and has proven a versatile player.

‘‘I play all of the above, but I like goalie most,’’ Blackwell said.

Blackwell’s enthusiasm for the sport on the park matches his increased enthusiasm in the classroom, which had him awarded the student of the month award for September.

While previous winners have won football jerseys or other prizes, the school wanted to make Blackwell’s prize a little more personal.

Goulburn Valley Suns striker Craig Carley works on campus as the school’s student wellbeing co-ordinator and was only too happy to answer the call.

Blackwell was lucky enough to be the Suns’ mascot for the final game of the National Premier Leagues Victoria season against South Melbourne and even took part in the warm up.

After, he watched the game from the club’s marquee tent with Suns and South Melbourne supporters.

Blackwell loved the experience.

‘‘I liked seeing the game and watching the big boys,’’ Blackwell said.

‘‘It was good to see how Craig plays and he got a goal, too, plus I got to train with the guys.

‘‘There are some (former) A-League boys in Craig’s team and it was good to see them play.’’

Carley said it was just reward for the student’s application at school.

‘‘Joel’s behaviour and participation in class has been awesome the last couple of months, so the award was completely deserved,’’ Carley said.

‘‘Lori Hodgson is the leader of the campus and she asked me if I could make a few inquiries to give him a positive life experience with the Suns because he’s always kicking a ball around and he plays SJSA, so we tried to make it happen.

‘‘We pulled a few strings with (Suns chairman) Mick Crisera and we had a photographer shadow him all day so we’ll have a book and a DVD for him, so he can remember the day for years to come.’’

Crisera praised Berry Street’s initiative in approaching the club and said it was as positive an experience for the Suns as it was for Blackwell.

‘‘It’s something we loved doing and something we want to do a lot more of next year,’’ Crisera said.

‘‘We want to add more to the match day experience next year, and that was a good experience for everyone.’’