Young Wickham footballer’s star on the rise

A young footballer from Wickham who has risen rapidly through the WA junior football ranks since moving to Perth a few months ago has been selected for the Australian indigenous under-16s team.

Lawson Humphries, 14, was named as part of the Flying Boomerangs squad based after a stand-out performance with the undefeated under-15s WA Kickstart team at the AFL National Diversity Championships in NSW in April.

He was selected for the team as one of 25 players from across Australia and is now looking forward to playing exhibition matches on the Gold Coast and in Canada.

His father Ross Humphries said Lawson, who is now boarding at Hale School, had always been a strong player in the Pilbara but showcasing his skills in Perth had opened up new opportunities.

“He’s really coming under the eye of AFL recruiters now, particularly playing with Kickstart Championships and Hale School, because they have all the recruiters there,” he said.

“And with being added to (West Coast) Eagles (Next Generation) Academy, at some point in time he’s going to get the opportunity to join in training with the Eagles and get expert advice on weight training and diet and all that kind of thing.”

Lawson has lived in Wickham since he was seven and started playing football with the Wickham Wolves that same year.

He came to the attention of AFL selectors this year when he was awarded the Swan Districts team’s fairest and best at WA Aboriginal youth tournament the Nicky Winmar Carnival in March, and following a set of trials was selected for the State Kickstart team.

From there he was named as part of the Boomerangs squad, and this month was also accepted into the Eagles’ Next Generation Academy.

Mr Humphries said he hoped his son, who aspired to be a professional sportsperson, could be an example to other young indigenous people in the Pilbara.

“I think it gives motivation for a lot of young boys around Roebourne and Wickham to be the best they can be, by showing they can do it from here,” he said.

Lawson is believed to be the only Pilbara representative to be selected for the Boomerangs team.

Players are selected for the personal development and leadership program from the National Diversity Championships and based on school attendance, leadership skills and football ability.