NPL NSW: rising star Ayouk Mow’s big plans for football career, Sydney FC v Mt Druitt grand final

He’s a rising star of soccer but this NPL NSW young gun only started playing the game because his mum didn’t want him to get hurt playing a different football code.

Ayouk Mow always wanted to follow his older brother and West Harbour Pirates player Stimon into rugby.

But the Michell High School student and winger’s mum Elizabeth had something to say about that.

“Mum didn't want to see me hurt so she signed me up for soccers and I just fell in love with it,’’ said the 17-year-old schoolboy who is now part of the Sydney FC Academy and their under 20s team taking on the Mt Druitt Town Rangers in the NPL grand final on Saturday.

Blacktown’s Mow, who has played for multiple clubs including Sydney Uni, Blacktown City, Nepean, Bonnyrigg and Sydney United, said his family came from South Sudan to Australia for a better life for he and his seven siblings who range in age from 7-26.

Ayouk Mow in the NPL. Pic: Supplied

“My parents have sacrificed a lot. I want to get back to them as much as I can,’’ he said. “I want to make them proud.

“My mum works every single day hard from early in the morning to late at night and various jobs for us and I’d do anything for her. We are all very close.

“My dream is to play at the highest level I can, playing in England with Chelsea and representing Australia. That’s the dream.

“If I do that, the first thing I'd do is buy mum a house and look after my family.’’

Mow has already been creating waves in the game and was on the bench for Sydney FC in a recent Australia Cup game in Melbourne. He’s also played some friendlies with the Sydney FC A-League squad.

The Sydney FC under 20 team ready for Saturday’s decider. Pic: Supplied

“It was a good experience being on the bench, seeing the game day routine and how it all works.’’ he said.

“What I love about the games is I just love the feeling of scoring goals, making last-minute match winners, having fun and playing with my mates.’’

On Saturday he will line-up in his first NPL grand final at 2.30pm with his Sydney FC teammates.

SYDNEY FC TO MAKE DREAMS OF LIFELONG FOOTBALL FAN COME TRUE

Sydney FC will help fulfill a lifelong wish of a seriously ill Sydney football fan and former player when he competes in a charity poker tournament, thanks to Sky Blues Partner The Star Sydney this Saturday.

Wally Wiederman, 72, had planned to travel to Las Vegas and play in the ‘World Series of Poker No Limit Hold Em’ main event but the Kingsford local was diagnosed with a malignant Mesothelioma in mid July 2020 and could not travel due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

Once the travel ban was lifted Wally was too ill to make the trip so the Sky Blues will launch the inaugural Sydney FC Foundation Charity Poker Tournament on Saturday thanks to the help of The Star Sydney.

Start time: 12.15pm

Buy-in: $550 ($500 + $50) – All admin fees donated to the Sydney FC Foundation. No money taken from the prize pool.

Starting Stack: 40,000

Blind Levels: 30 minutes

Re-entry: Unlimited

Registrations available in person at the Poker Registration Desk, via cash or gaming chips, EFTPOS is currently unavailable.

2022 NPL NSW MEN’S GRAND FINAL SCHEDULE

Saturday at CommBank Stadium

2.30pm: Sydney FC v Mt Druitt Town Rangers in the U20’s, 2:30pm

6pm: Manly United v Blacktown City