Empowered by culture and icons, Eddie takes on the world

Eddie Lester was like thousands of other youngsters in Tuggeranong, experiencing his first game of Oztag on the lush green fields of Calwell, playing with his mates on a weekday comp after school.

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Eddie's Aboriginal heritage stretches to the Worimi and Wonnarua people of the Hunter region of NSW. Picture by Karleen Minney

The Wanniassa local was in grade four at the time and straight away knew he loved the game.

"My strong suit, definitely in the beginning, was speed. I didn't really know the inner workings of the game, so I'd just get the ball and run," he said.

"Then I'd learn how to pass, how to play, all that."

Now, 16-year-old Eddie is playing the game on the world stage.

The year 10 student at St Mary MacKillop College will be competing this week at the fifth ITF Tag World Cup in Coffs Harbour on the mid north coast of NSW.

Eddie at his local footy oval at Wanniassa. Picture by Karleen Minney

Eddie has been selected in the 16s age group for the Australia Indigenous team, which will play alongside the Australian national team, the Tagaroos.

"Getting called up to the World Cup makes me realise I've gained a lot of skill," he said, modestly.

Players from countries including Ireland, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji, France, Japan and Samoa are also competing in the competition from October 15 to 18.

Among the players in the Indigenous 50s team will be former world boxing champion, 51-year-old Anthony Mundine, who joked that "Laurie Daley was running on old legs, now it's me".

"Let's build memories forever," Mundine said in a social media post to the team.

"Let's represent our culture and our mob to the best of our ability."

Eddie has natural athleticism. Picture by Karleen Minney

Mundine - and Souths NRL legends Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell - have sent encouraging messages to the team via the Australian Indigenous Oztag organisation.

"Following the [socials] and seeing all the support from the big names, it's really cool," Eddie said.

"It's just really empowering, makes me want to do my best."

Eddie's Aboriginal heritage stretches to the Worimi and Wonnarua people of the Hunter region of NSW.

The International Tag Federation hopes that tag football will one day be included as a sport in the Olympic Games.

For the World Cup, Eddie is sponsored by Malamalang Capital Workplace, which specialises in human resources and industrial relation issues.

In tag footy, he has represented the ACT twice and will follow up his World Cup appearance by playing in the nationals, again in Coffs Harbour on October 30 and November 1.

Eddie is the son of Fiona and James Lester. James said he was proud of Eddie as a person, first and foremost. His sporting ability was just a bonus.

"I've enjoyed Eddie's journey and where he's going," he said.

"As long as he's enjoying it, that's number one. And his passion and awareness of his culture is really important for both of us."

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