Another Fil-Aussie a rising star in handball sport in Australia
Filipino-Australian Bevan Calvert has already made a name for himself in the field of handball, not only in Australia but in the international arena, having led the country's team in competitions abroad.
However, another Filipino-Australian — Jay Abiera — is making waves in the sport.
Abiera has been absent from the world of handball for three years to attend to his university studies but has returned to the sport with a burning passion.
The 22-year-old Abiera was one of the best under-18 handballers for the Victorian junior team when he was active in the sport, according to a report of Fil-Aussie news site The Filipino Australian.
“I still have to get back to my old self though,” he said in an interview with The Filipino Australian.
Abiera, is aspiring to join the Barcelona world championship team although he already considers being a part of the Australian men’s team as a big break.
If he makes it as a member of the world championship team — composed of a maximum of 16 players — he will be recognized as one of the top talents in the sport with Filipino roots.
Born in Quezon City, Philippines, Abiera migrated with his parents to Australia at the tender age of one and-a-half years old.
He has been playing handball since 15 years old and excels in the position of back where he either plays as centre, left or right.
Bevan Calvert
Meanwhile, Calvert is the captain of the Australian men’s team and led them to victory during the qualifiers where they beat New Zealand on June 23, earning the right to represent the Oceania region, an earlier report on GMA News Online said.
John Calvert, the team manager of the men’s team and father of Bevan, and his wife Violi the PR director of the team, both have high hopes for Abiera, a 6’3” force-to-be-reckoned-with.
“He has a lot of potential,” John said in the Filipino Australian report.
Abiera arrived in Sydney on August 16 so that he could practice with the men’s team during their training camp.
The team held matches against each other for three days in the Dural, Homebush and Liverpool sports complexes.
Since he lives in Melbourne, Abiera needs to travel to Sydney once a month like the other interstate players so that he could participate in the selections for the world championship team.
He has to drop everything – including studies – whenever he is needed during training.
Abiera is enrolled in a double degree course for a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Movement.
“Yes, nice combination to discipline mind and body,” he said in jest. - VVP, GMA News
We are hoping there will be more Filipino youth who will take up handball, or be encouraged to do well in whatever sport or area of interest they choose.
ReplyDeleteThese guys are amazing and an inspiration for the Filipino youth to excel in sports or whatever endeavor they are in. Indeed, Filipinos can make it everywhere. Thank you po Ms. Calvert for your message/comment. This blog is a collection of news about Filipino achievers whether local-based or abroad.
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