Buku’s story: from South Sudan to Footscray

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Buku Khamis’ football career – and life for that matter – has been a journey so far to say the least.

Arriving in Australia as a six-year-old from South Sudan, part of his upbringing involved time in a Kenyan refugee camp.

In his last year of primary school, Buku got his first taste of footy while on an excursion – funnily enough, at a Western Bulldogs’ AFL game.

Little did he know that close to 10 years later, he’d get his own opportunity to run out in the red, white and blue.

“I always felt he would make it if we gave him the time and we continued to invest, so to see that come to fruition is a pretty good day,” Bulldogs’ Next Generation Academy Manager Dave Newton said.

“I think this story is testament to what is required, and the support that is required for a lot of these kids from migrant backgrounds.”

Buku began playing junior footy at St Albans, representing the WRFL in interleague football before moving through the Western Jets’ NAB League pathway.

It was around this time he also got involved in the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation’s CALDPlay Junior program (formerly Ready SETTLE Go), and joined the Bulldogs’ Next Generation Academy.

Newton remembers the first time he watched Buku play.

“His athleticism was one thing that stood out – I reckon he played ruck the first time I saw him,” Newton said.

“His fundamentals were sound. He’s always been a pretty good kick at the footy, but when he started in our program it was something we continued to work on.

“He was a very shy kid, who didn’t say a hell of a lot. He still doesn’t say a lot, but he has a heart of gold.”

As Buku’s football commitments started increasing, his St Albans coach at the time, Charles Grech, and partner Kellie Ryan noticed the teenager had started to miss training sessions.

Charles drove out to see Buku and his family at home one night, to find out why.

“There were many challenges as a newly-arrived family – they didn’t have the ability or the time to commit to local sport,” Newton explained.

“Charles took it upon himself and said ‘if you give me permission, I’ll ensure I pick Buku up and drop him home after every footy commitment at St Albans’.

“From there, the bond with the Grech and Ryan family continued to grow, to the extent where they became his second family.”

With the support of the AFL academy at the time, Newton and the club met with Buku’s father, to discuss whether he’d be open to letting Buku relocate to live with Charles and Kellie.

“His Dad was really open to the support, and Buku thought it was going to be the best thing to give him the chance of being an AFL player,” Newton said.

“I remember going to Harvey Norman with ‘Buks’ as a 17 or 18 year old, and taking him shopping to buy him a bed, blankets, and bedside table.

“For a lot of kids, things like that are just sort of normal in a lot of ways. To witness that moment where this kid had the ability to choose his own bed – it was a moment I won’t forget.”

Since being drafted to the Bulldogs, Buku has continued to involve himself with the Community Foundation, even putting his hand up as a mentor for the GOAL program.

“A couple of years ago, there was a perceived ‘African gang crisis’, and as a club we decided we wanted to be part of that solution,” Community Foundation General Manager Kashif Bouns said.

“After community consultations we launched our African Action Plan, and it quickly became clear that the community needed more mentoring programs for young people and needed more relatable role models that they could aspire to.

“With a South Sudanese background and having been through our programs, we thought Buku was naturally a good fit, but because he was still new to the footy club we didn’t want to put any pressure on him.

“He was actually the one that put his hand up and said, ‘I want to be involved in this program’.”

Buku was one of the GOAL program’s first mentors in 2019, a role he still holds to this day.

“It was really important for kids to see someone like Buku as a living and breathing example of what life could be like for them,” Bouns said.

“It also showed how much someone like Buku – who was still finding his own way – was wanting to give back and wanting to be there for his community.”

Newton echoed that sentiment – and the impact Buku’s journey could have.

“There will be so many kids from African backgrounds that will be seeing this story and saying ‘well maybe footy is an opportunity for me’,” Newton said.

“What our Community Foundation does for kids not only from diverse backgrounds, but kids from all backgrounds – it makes you pretty proud to be part of a club that is so invested in not only the elite, but the greater community as well.”

‘It takes a village to raise a child.’

For Buku, you could say there’s been multiple ‘villages’ that have contributed and impacted his upbringing.  

From his biological family, to Charles Grech and Kellie Ryan, to his St Albans family and the Western Jets.

From the Bulldogs’ Community Foundation, to the Bulldogs’ Next Generation Academy, to the Western Bulldogs Football Club as a whole.

“Buku is the perfect reflection of community to the elite,” Newton said.

“That journey and that pathway, for all the work we do as a club from the community to the AFL – he’s done it all, and that’s what’s so special.

“He’s a beautiful young man who has got the world at his feet – not only in a football sense. He can achieve so much in life – his story is going to be a powerful story, and he’ll have an impact on a lot of people.”

Buku and Newton met over dinner on Tuesday night, two days before the news of his debut.

Questioned about his progress so far, Newton asked Buku whether he felt he was close to earning his opportunity and ready for AFL level football.

Buku’s response?

“Yeah, I’m ready.”

After three years on the Bulldogs’ list, Buku’s AFL dream will be realised on Sunday afternoon at Marvel Stadium against Carlton.

For more information about the WBCF and its programs, click here.^[1]

For more information about the Bulldogs’ NGA, click here.^[2]

References

1. ^{^} click here. (www.westernbulldogs.com.au)
2. ^{^} click here. (www.westernbulldogs.com.au)