Shepparton Swans have catered for many players with ethnical backgrounds over the years.
However, I can’t remember a descendant of Samoan parents having donned the red and white jumper in the past, then again if they have, I apologise.
Henry and Gordon Peni, the sons of Eneliko and Fualole are two rising stars presently playing with the Swans.
Henry has been named by the Swans as their Mooroopna Golf Club Rising Star Award nomination for 2014 and the way he is performing he will be right in the running to be announced the award winner at the Morrison Medal count in September.
However, before then he will need to keep up his good form because those already nominated from other clubs for the award are showing out in their first season of senior football.
The 18-year-old played one senior game for the Swans last season and seven for the Murray Bushrangers while this season he has played one game for the Bushies and one for the Swans Under 18’s.
Injuries, the flu and a bye forced the dashing midfield back to the Swans under 18’s last Saturday where he was praised for his efforts, along with his team mates, by coach Mario De Santa ana, who is a selector for the GVFL Under 18 side along with coach, Jason Wells and his Shepparton team mate, Terrence Tuohey.
All those tied up with the State Under 18 champions would like Henry in the side come May 24 when we play the Ballarat League and defend our the state title at Deakin Reserve after beating Geelong by the bay last season.
Henry can only play three games for the Bushies this season before he becomes ineligible for the GVFL side, so it’s somewhat of a conundrum for all concerned.
He showed no signs of his injured hamstring on Saturday against United at Deakin Reserve and Bushies coach, Darren Ogier, could be looking for him for their next game.
In all Henry played 46 games of junior football with Shepparton High and Notre Dame followed by 17 in the Swans Thirds in 2012 and last year before being selected for the Bushies.
The 180cm 75kg speedster would like to follow in the footsteps of his Swans team mate, Jarman Impey, who was a rising star nomination last season and now playing with Port Adelaide.
Henry’s 15-year-old brother Gordon is showing at lot of promise with the Under 16s and pressing for Thirds selection while 13-year-old sister, Nuulua, is a netballer.
The Peni’s moved to Shepparton when Henry was one after being born in Sydney, while his parents moved to the harbour city from New Zealand.
Last Modified on 28/03/2015 18:32
