Buku Khamis has all the qualities Australian Rules football coaches look for.
The multi-talented teenager can compete hard in the air and is renowned as a brilliant contested mark.
He can also win his own ball at ground level, making him a tough prospect for any opposition player.
But what makes Khamis’ ability to break a game open even more remarkable is that 10 years ago he had never even heard of Aussie Rules.
Khamis moved from South Sudan to Australia with his mother and brothers when he was six.
And it took just one taste of football to have him hooked for life.
“I used to play a bit of basketball but I went to a football game for primary school,” he explained.
“The week after, I just wanted to keep playing. It was so much fun.”
Khamis joined St Albans Football Club and wasted no time making a name for himself.
He was selected in the Western Region Football League under-14 interleague side, where his ability to perform on the big stage caught the attention of scouts from TAC Cup outfit the Western Jets.
Khamis, now 16, is a member of the Jets’ Brad Johnson development squad, which is seen as a pathway into the Western Jets under-18 side.
Khamis has also earned a place in the Maribyrnong Sports Academy AFL program, which is run by Western Jets head coach Torin Baker.
“From an early age we could see Buku was a really talented boy with an excellent work ethic,” Baker said.
“He is really driven football-wise to continue to improve as much as he can.
“His want and desire have always been there.
“Clearly he has great talent. Now it’s about making him as professional as possible and assisting him with things such as developing his body and developing certain training habits.
“That is probably going to be the key for him in terms of maximising his potential.”
Aiming high
While happy with his progress in the sport so far, Khamis has no plans to slow down in his development.
The St Albans resident’s short-term goal is to earn selection in the Jets’ under-18 squad next season and make his TAC Cup senior debut.
Eventually he wants to be drafted into the AFL.
But Khamis is under no illusions it will take plenty of hard work.
“It is great to be able to work with Torin,” he said. “We are really working hard on my weaknesses.
“I’m just trying to improve my game and, hopefully, I can get to the top.”
