People with Purpose: Kicking multicultural goals

Tell us a little bit about your backgrounds.

Buay Duac: I was born and raised here in Australia, but both of my parents come from the South Sudan Nuer tribe.

Goanar Ruach: I am South Sudanese and also Nuer. I was born in Berwick a couple of years after my family fled from Africa due to violence and currently living in Gippsland.

How did you become involved with the NextGen Unite AFL South Sudanese Football Academy?

Buay: I became involved with the NGU football program through my sister.

She does media with NGU, and around 2021 Majook came to me explaining the East versus West football match [an annual event that showcases football talent from Melbourne’s South Sudanese community] so that's how I got involved.

Goanar: I became involved with NextGen Unite at the end of last year when I saw it as an opportunity to reunite with some of my friends who moved away and play footy with them. Also to meet others who share the same goal as myself.

What difference has the program made to your life?

Buay: The program has made a big difference because I was able to meet other young talented south South Sudanese footballers from everywhere, from my own area here in the southeast [of Melbourne] to blokes from Ballarat and what not. It built new friendships that I personally thought I'd never build.

Goanar: This program has helped me and a lot of other young individuals feel connected within our community and create meaningful relationships with one another.

What do your friends and family think of your efforts?

Buay: My family loves my effort, especially being able to go out there represent the family and the South Sudanese community and just showcase my skills, so my family's very supportive with it.

Goanar: After winning the under 18s competition in back-to-back years, I feel like friends and family are happy and proud for us to accomplish something like this against some pretty intense competition.

How do you feel when you walk off the ground after a game?

After a game the first thing that really comes to my mind is "I did it!"

Because the battle you go through a week or two before a game, the nerves, the fact that you have to prepare your body right, get the right fuel in you, sleep well, and be disciplined, after a game I always say to myself "I did it."

Goanar: Win, lose or draw I think everyone feels happy after the game due to everyone coming together to make better connections in the community.

Singing some Wec e Wecda ["My Country” by South Sudanese singer-songwriter Kang JJ} never disappoints.