Hunger for Big V replaces junk food as Mt Eliza teenager Ned Cahill achieves footy goal

NO chips. No soda. No worries, says Mt Eliza’s Ned Cahill who made sacrifices to earn a Big V jumper.

Ned Cahill gave up junk food to chase his dream of playing for Victoria - and has now achieved it. Picture: Jason Sammon.

HE was adamant.

“I’m giving up junk food,” said 12-year-old Ned Cahill, as he and his dad, Michael, drove home from try outs for the Victorian 12 and under football team at Bulleen, having missed out on making the final team.

His son’s disappointment clearly evident, Michael offered to pull into a popular fast food restaurant for a burger, fries and chips; a much-needed happy meal, if you like. But Ned had already decided. The fast food had to go.

“They called the team out, and the kids who didn’t make it jumped in the car with their parents,’’ Michael remembered.

“As we drove down the eastern freeway there was a tear. No big carry on, just a tear. I said to him, ‘let’s stop and get something nice, mate’, and he said, ‘nup’.”

Ned wanted a Big V jumper badly and knew he had to earn it. Sacrifices needed to be made, he believed.

Ned Cahill is a focused young man. Picture: Jason Sammon.

So, for the past the past three years he has rigidly maintained his no-junk policy - and now it’s paid off. Ned, 15, has been selected in the School Sport Victoria 15 Years and Under football team to play in the national championships in Maroochydore, Queensland from July 23-30.

“It means a lot to me,’’ Ned, who is in Year 9 at Padua College, Mornington, said.

“When I missed out on the 12s I was a bit frustrated. I tried really hard because footy means a lot.”

The Mt Eliza youngster said eating healthy had improved him as a footballer, although it hasn’t always been easy.

“I’ve had to convince some of my mates not to go to Maccas,” he said, smiling.

“Sometimes I’ve had to wait until I get back home (to eat). It’s worth it. I go better at footy.”

Ned is captain of the Mt Eliza Under 15s side and says he loves playing in the midfield.

Those who know him say he is a highly skilled and unselfish player.

Team Vic 15 Years and Under Boys side: Ethan Bentley, Ned Cahill, Adam Carafa, Darcy Cassar, Jye Chalcraft, Mitchell Holt, Riley Ironside, Emerson Jeka, Ben Major, Jacob Martin, Daniel Mott, Matthew Mundos, Jeremy O’Sullivan, Lucas Perry, Will Phillips, Sam Ramsay, Matthew Rowell, Lachlan Rzanovski, Caleb Serong, Harrison Shugg, Brock Smith, Cooper Stephens, Corey Watts, Dylan Williams. Emergencies: Chayce Black, Darby Hipwell, Joe Mutimer.