Three Carlton teammates have been busy kicking goals – in Sri Lanka!
Ed Curnow, Harry McKay and Jesse Glass-McCasker were invited by Sri Lanka AFL Engagement Project co-founders Prabath and Anurudda Fonseka, along with Jebastin Jeyakumar, to promote the game to the locals in an attempt to have the first Sri Lankan team participate in AFL International Cup 2017.
Across 11 days, the players conducted a series of football clinics educating more than 160 Sinhalese locals. With new footy boots and playing gear distributed to each participant, the three Blues witnessed some fine young talent.
“It was such an amazing experience, the locals were so friendly and the kids loved running around kicking the footy,” Curnow said.
“We taught them some basic skills and they all appreciated the new boots and Carlton gear – I think we converted most of them into Bluebaggers,” he joked.
As they endeavoured to learn and understand a new culture – tying into the Club’s pillar of multicultural Carlton – the trio visited some of the Country’s most historic and iconic landmarks, including Sri Lanka’s Parliament House – as guests of the Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms.
McKay and Glass-McCasker were privileged to meet Sri Lanka's Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms (middle, tie) at Parliament House. (Photo: Carlton Media)
The players were also fortunate enough to be invited to dinner with current and former Sri Lankan cricket stars, including: Chaminda Vaas, Aravinda De Silva, Roshan Mahanama, Farveez Maharoof and Dinesh Chandimal. Curnow, McKay and Glass-McCasker were delighted to present them all with Carlton shirts.
Carlton’s player welfare manager Craig Millar accompanied the boys and says the trip was an eye opener for the young players.
“It’s a great opportunity for our players to visit another country and to better understand another culture and language,” Millar said.
“All three put their hand up to volunteer their time and all found it to be a very rewarding experience.
“The trip was most definitely a success and we’ll hopefully look to implement the same initiative next year too.”
Once their official duties were over the players swapped footballs for surfboards, and were also introduced to some much larger Sri Lankan residents – elephants.
Glass-McCasker and McKay were thrilled to visit an elephant orphanage on their trip. (Photo: Carlton Media)
Their visit to an elephant orphanage topped off an unforgettable adventure they’ll never forget.
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The three boys enjoyed some down time once thier official duties were over. (Photo: Carlton Media)
Ed, Jesse and Harry soaked up the sun in Sri Lanka, with a footy never far from reach! (Photo: Carlton Media)
McKay made plenty of new friends on the streets! (Photo: Carlton Media)
The boys held a number of footy clinics, handing out new boots and Carlton gear. (Photo: Carlton Media)
Taking a break: The boys rest in the shade after kicking the footy in the hot Sri Lankan sun. (Photo: Carlton Media)
The boys, as well as Carlton's player welfare manager Craig Millar, stopped on the side of the road to try some local corn. (Photo: Carlton Media)
Can't wipe the smile off his face: One participant was very excited to receive a new training top and boots! (Photo: Carlton Media)
Curnow takes to the surf, showing Jesse and Harry how it's done. (Photo: Carlton Media)
