Ben’s on the ball

By EMMA SUN
A MOUNT Evelyn boy wrapped up the football season with a special gift from his team mates recently – his first goal.
Ben Chamberlin, who was born with cerebral palsy, was protected by a human wall formed by his team mates before taking the kick.
The 10-year-old said he was very pleased his season finished on a high note.
“I enjoyed the day and I liked kicking my goal,” he said.
“My team mates hugged me and I felt pretty good.”
His parents Brian and Michelle said it was an exciting match to watch, especially seeing Ben’s team mates fighting to pass him the ball.
“Ben got the ball first, but one of the Belgrave boys got it off him and then his brother Joseph managed to get it back to him and Ben then got in and kicked it,” Mr Chamberlin said.
Despite Mount Evelyn losing the match against Belgrave, Ben walked away with a memory he would never forget.
Ben was first approached by the Mount Evelyn Junior Football Club coach earlier this year after his twin brother Joseph joined the Auskick last year.
Mr Chamberlin said they had seen a big change in Ben since he joined the club.
“It’s got him out exercising and it’s a social thing too, so when he’s out there he’s part of the team, which also helps,” he said.
“Joseph started playing last year on Sunday mornings and it was a bit of a battle to get Ben out of the house because he’d just sit there and watch and his little brother Daniel as well.
“But they all started playing this year and as soon as he got out there to play, he was the first up, first ready to go out the door and couldn’t wait for a Sunday morning to go out and play.”
Ben doesn’t let his condition get the better of him, and his mum said he didn’t get any special treatment at home either – his brothers keep him grounded.
“His brothers have been excellent and have been really supportive,” she said.
“Ben does everything with brothers and they fight all the time – punching, kicking, hitting, biting.”
Ben hopes to eventually compete in the Paralympics but is taking it one year at a time and is looking forward to playing in the under-11s next year.
He said he was really enjoying being part of the football club.
“I like kicking goals, playing with the other boys, singing the song and running out, and also playing with my brothers,” he said.
“I’ve been learning a lot from my team mates and football is definitely something I look forward to.”