Soccer
1 July, 2024
Thomas thriving at competition level soccer
12-year-old Kaden Thomas is thriving at soccer after stepping up to competition level for the Horsham Falcons in the South West Victorian Football Association.
He plays for the under-12s and under-14s, and he has scored six goals for the season: two in the under-14s and four in the under-12s.
He recently played his 50th game for the club and was given a milestone badge, the first the club has given out since 2019.
Thomas said it was great to reach the milestone.
"It felt good, and it was good to get a goal in my 50th game," Thomas said.
Thomas's favourite player is Argentina legend Lionel Messi, and he wants to be like him.
"I want to try and be like him. He is a good footballer, he is nice and he is not cocky or anything like that," Thomas said.
During his under-12s game on Sunday against Warrnambool Rangers, Thomas showed terrific sportsmanship, helping an opponent from the field and helping others up from the ground.
"It's the right thing to do, even if they are on the other team," Thomas said.
Coach Gavin McRoberts said stepping up to competition level has helped him mentally.
"He is a different kid and is so much happier," McRoberts said.
"Since he has moved to the competition, he has stood up, and he needed to so he could challenge himself, and he has taken it on and run with it and is doing well.
"He is a different kid this year. His attitude has completely changed."
Kaden's mum, Katelyn, said he has stepped up into a leadership role.
"He gives guidance to younger players, and you saw what he did on the pitch, helping a player off the ground," Katelyn said.
"He has grown into that strong leadership role and role model. He enjoys soccer and has a good passion for it."
"The club has a good family environment, which also helps. He is getting shown the ropes from senior players and sharing that on as he goes through the ranks."