From Copenhagen to Toorak Park

AFL Europe are excited to announce the facilitation of Danish dasher, Mikkel Kjoeges move to Melbourne, Australia to pursue his AFL Career. With the assistance of the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) a favourite son of AFL Europe has settled into the Old Xaverian’s Football Club. Mikkel has played many tournaments and excelled in many games over the past 4 years through AFL Europe and his local team the Farum Cats. It was his outstanding performance, at the 2014 AFL Europe Draft Combine, that was the final catalyst to the full realisation of his skill set and ability. Mikkel will writes for us as we document his time in Australia and his dream of making it in the AFL.

Mikkel’s Australian Adventure – Part 1

I arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday night after an extremely long and exhausting 24 hour flight! I was met at the airport and taken to my accommodation where I was happy to see my bed – we had our first footy session the next night, so it was straight into it!

Training on the Thursday was at Xavier College where I was introduced to my new teammates – they are all very nice guys. Training was very different to what I’m used to! High intensity running drills and a lot of exercises I hadn’t done before, all in 35 degree heat! I think there might have been about 50 guys on the same oval, training together; it was amazing – I went home that night with a great experience and an Australian sunburn.

On the Friday I moved into Port Melbourne to stay with a family friend. Being so close to the beach is great and really beautiful. I was also able to go see the house I will be moving into in Caulfield with 2 other guys – the house is nearly 300m²!

I’m really enjoying living in Melbourne, exploring the city, the beaches and meeting the people is great. It’s all really beautiful. I competed with the World Team in Sydney at the 2012 AFL NAB U16 National Championships and have kept in contact with a few of my team mates. A couple of them are doing pretty well with their footy here in Australia which is great and we’re all getting together next week for a catch up.

Since arriving in Melbourne I’ve become even more determined to make it in the AFL, everyone around me is so supportive and positive. I have wonderful team mates and a great coaching staff here at the Old Xaverians. We had a Training Camp down in Portsea on the weekend of February 21-22. We did a few sessions on the beach in 30+ degree weather, it was massive!

– Mikkel

Follow Mikkel’s journey on social media via #MikkelDownUnder and @AFL_Europe

This was first published by Sarah Ongarello at: http://www.afleurope.org/mikkels-aussie-journey-entry-one/