South Adelaide Football Club brothers Robert and Emmanuel Irra chase AFL dream

SOUTH Adelaide footballer Robert Irra remembers little about growing up in a small mud hut in a village in war-torn Uganda. His big brother is also a rising star.

SOUTH Adelaide footballer Robert Irra remembers little about growing up in a small mud hut in a village in war-torn Uganda.

“Just the bad moments — war and getting attacked by monkeys,” Robert said.

Robert’s family was caught up in civil war in the east African country when he was a pre-schooler.

Nine years after they fled to SA, Robert, 14, is making his mark as a footballer with South Adelaide, Sacred Heart College and O’Sullivan Beach-Lonsdale.

The midfielder has been selected in a world team for next month’s under-16 national championships on the Gold Coast.

It is a rapid rise, considering he took up the sport only four years ago after kicking a footy around his Hackham backyard with his older brother Emmanuel, a South Adelaide reserves player.

“I didn’t know much about it when I started,” Robert said. “It took me two or three years before I got the hang of it.

“(Making) the world team is exciting. It’ll be a good experience for me.”

These days Robert is playing up to three games a week while representing South Adelaide’s under-15s, O’Sullivan Beach’s juniors and A grade, and Sacred Heart’s Year 9s.

“I’m still learning — I’ve got a lot to learn.

“But I’ve been loving it out at South Adelaide and the program has been excellent for me.”

Robert’s aim for the rest of the season is to improve his skills and endurance, and push his claims for a spot in South’s under-16s for next year.

Robert has been nominated for a News Corp Pride of Australia medal in the Fair Go category which recognises Australian citizens and permanent residents who were born overseas and have enriched Australia through their community involvement.

Motivated by a desire to make their family proud, Robert and Emmanuel’s long-term goal is to play AFL.

“It was tough for our parents because they basically had to drop everything and take their kids here to give us hope so we could hopefully make something of ourselves,” Emmanuel said.

“What’s driving us is trying to make the move worth it.”

The brothers also plan to return to Uganda to visit family one day.

“Hopefully we go back soon,” Emmanuel said.

“All our family is back there so it would be good to go and see them.”

CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE YOUR COMMUNITY HERO FOR A PRIDE OF AUSTRALIA MEDAL