Teen boy barred from playing footy final after long-term injury

The family of a teenage boy knocked back from playing in his football team’s grand final is urging the Eastern Football Netball League to reconsider their decision.

Ruben, 15, has been knocked back from playing in finals for the Basin Bears because he’s only played two games this year, and players must play three to qualify for finals.

He tore his ACL last year, sidelining him for 12 months, but continued to attend training and games to support his teammates.

Once he received medical clearance to play, there were only two non-finals games left.

Last week he received a call informing him he couldn’t play in the semi-final at the weekend because he’s only played two games for the team so far this year and players must participate in three games to be eligible for finals.

“I’m really annoyed,” Ruben told Neil Mitchell.

“I was going to training twice a week and going to every game because I just love that team and I wanted to support them.”

Ruben’s mother, Samantha, says calls and emails to the Eastern Football Netball League calling for them to reassess the situation so Ruben can play in the grand final have gone unanswered.

“We’re just not getting any response,” she said.

Press PLAY below to hear Ruben’s story