Sporting all-rounder Callum Park eyes football career after playing for Australia in baseball

GOOD decision making is vital for any athlete - Callum Park's helped him represent Australia and win a School Sports Award.

GOOD decision making is vital for any athlete.

Callum Park's tough call earlier this year helped him represent Australia and win the primary category of the School Sports Awards.

The Plympton Park all-rounder was selected to represent SA at the under-12 national football championships in August.

Soon after, he was chosen to play for Australia at the Cal Ripkin junior baseball series in Baltimore, US, in the same month.

"It was a really hard decision," the 12-year-old says.

"But playing baseball for Australia was a once-off opportunity.

"Footy will hopefully still be there."

The Plympton Primary student's choice was vindicated when he was selected in the MVP team at the international baseball tournament.

Despite his side losing each of its seven matches, the pitcher and short stop says he was happy with his decision.

"It was amazing to meet all the different people from differed cultures and make some new friends.

"It was really hard because all the other teams were so organised, but we only got together just before the tournament."

Park says training with older players in Adelaide Angel's under-17 side has helped his baseball progression over the past year.

Similarly the PHOS Camden under-14 on-baller says training with West Adelaide Football Club's development squad has developed his footy skills.

"It's a bit harder at West," the midfielder says.

"It's helping me improve because they expect a lot more of you."

Park says juggling his sporting commitments is generally not an issue as baseball is played in summer and football in winter.

However, the younger brother of Bloods' midfielder Scott Bricknell is in no doubt about where his future allegiances lie.

"I love football just a bit more than baseball and I'd rather pursue football.

"I would really love to play AFL."