Just over a year ago Calyn Hoadlay was in an induced coma after pushing his little brother out of the way of a car

PRIDE of Australia Award finalist Calyn Hoad is kicking goals – both in his recovery and his back yard.

Ben Hoad with sons Calyn (8) and Kya (5) from Beenleigh, having fun with a football. Calyn suffered serious head injuries when he was hit by a car in 2013. Pic Mark Cranitch.

FINALISTS in the Pride of Australia 2014 national awards have incredible stories to tell.

People such as Queenslander Calyn Hoad, who just over a year ago, lay in an induced coma, brain-damaged, after pushing his little brother, Kya, out of the way of a car, south of Brisbane.

Now eight-year-old Calyn is kicking goals – both in his recovery and his back yard.

In saving his brother, Calyn was hit by the car, and fractured his skull.

Calyn is a national finalist in the Pride of Australia 2014 Child of Courage medal and his mother, Shanalee, said his progress continued to “blow her mind”.

Just in the last two weeks, the eight-year-old has picked up a football and kicked it.

“It was awesome because his dad used to kick the ball in the back yard with him a lot, so it means a lot to his dad, being able to do that (again),” she said.

Mrs Hoad also said Calyn recently took part in his school’s end-of-year concert.

“It was so nice to watch him, considering a year ago we just about lost him,” she said.