‘You pay, don’t play, for state’: Czane Edwards, 16, dropped from state team over travel costs
A YOUNG gridiron player’s dream of scoring a touchdown for Victoria has been crushed because he couldn’t afford to travel overseas to compete with his teammates.
And according to a junior coach, it’s an all too common predicament for young stars who learn you “don’t play for your state, you pay for your state”.
Essendon student Czane Edwards, who plays gridiron with the Western Crusaders Colts, was selected for the Victorian under-19 team to tour Singapore this month.
But the talented 16-year-old, who is one of nine children in a single-parent family, couldn’t raise the $2750 needed for the trip.
“I come from a background with a low socio-economic status and I’m unable to spend much money on the optional things like this trip because it’s hard to make it day-to-day with just food and paying for school,” Czane, a wide receiver, said.
“My father supports me as best he can but ... with eight brothers and sisters and not having a second parent to help, I can’t always have what most other kids do ...”
Western Crusaders committee member and junior coach Matthew Ireland, who described Czane as a “next level sort of player who has definitely got what it takes”, said the club supported players with equipment and fundraising, but ultimately it was up to them to pay their way.
“We’re a very small fish in a big pond of sports in Victoria,” Mr Ireland said.
“It’s hard because these kids have got talent in abundance.
“(But) you don’t play for your state; you pay for your state.”
He said the club could support more players if they had the funds.
“You’ve got to have the money to pay professionally,” Mr Ireland said.
“Talent isn’t enough. Whether that’s a state issue or a federal issue … it’s a concern.”
Acting Sport Minister Martin Foley said they had discussed with Gridiron Victoria ways to help with travel-associated costs, but were yet to receive a formal application for funding.
He said the Athlete Pathway Travel Grants Program helped with travel costs.
“No young aspiring athletes should be turned away from opportunities they’ve earned,” he said.