Back in time with the next generation

WESTERN United Academy midfielder Jordan Lauton was taken back in time last week, visiting his old primary school Lumen Christi.

Lauton, and former Ballarat Grammar student Jalil Regauge, mixed with grade 5 pupils as they took part in a soccer clinic, testing and improving their skills and playing mini games.

Having finished grade 6 in 2014, Lauton said it was “surreal” to return to Lumen Christi and offer the next generation of athletes some advice.

“I’m all the way in uni now studying civil engineering, so to see where I’ve come from, and where I started as a little year 6, it’s pretty cool,” he said.

“What I’d say to them is just play, have fun and enjoy it.”

Ten-year-old Ainsley, a Western United fan, was excited to have met two players, and to practice her soccer skills.

“We learnt passing, receiving and stopping the ball, practiced a lot of defence and stealing the ball,” she said.

“It was really cool and fun to meet a player who went to our school because it proves that there’s heaps of great sport players and options at Lumen Christi.”

Just down the road from the school is Morshead Park’s Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility, which will host an A-League men’s match this weekend for the first time.

The contest between Western United and Wellington Phoenix will be played on Saturday, 9 April from 2.05pm.