By JARROD POTTER
BERWICK, Dandenong Stingrays and Haileybury College – the three pillars of Ryan Gains’ life at the moment, balancing school work with a few football teams.
However the 17-year-old doesn’t seem to be struggling with the workload – whether from his teachers or his coaches – he continues to impress whatever the challenge.
With school footy on hiatus across the holidays, Gains couldn’t be blamed for relaxing a bit with time away from the Haileybury books and boots respectively, but Gains had one other significant assignment at hand.
He was given his TAC Cup debut last weekend and has been part of Dandenong’s defence for the last two rounds against strong opposition in Calder and Murray.
“It feels really good – long journey over the pre-season and start of the season, but I was happy to get my opportunity,” Gains said.
“It was a great experience getting that exposure to the TAC Cup level – having school holidays gave me the opportunity there and I wasn’t too concerned about how many minutes I was going to play, I was just happy to get some game time.
“Good to start off my TAC Cup career with two wins… hopefully there’s more to come.”
Gains has turned a corner after missing nearly two years to a devastating back injury and he shows no ill effects of the complaint that left him on the pine throughout much of his under-15 and under-16 seasons.
“Had two years where I didn’t really play much sport at all… to do this pre-season, it was pretty tough, and to get my opportunity last weekend was a great reward for that,” Gains said.
Haileybury will welcome back Gains into the schoolboy line-up for the last three weeks of the season before hopefully getting another chance in the TAC Cup.
“Been playing everywhere at Haileybury – mostly in the ruck and up forward but have played some time down back as well – pretty much play anywhere for school footy as well,” he said.
“Going back to school footy, got three more games there, and we’re in contention for a premiership so hopefully to get another three more wins and take it out.”
His final step-up in 2015 was from junior football into the senior club set up at Berwick and he’s enjoyed the chance to play with and against his mates from all levels of competition.
Dandenong coach Craig Black said Gains was thrilled to get his chance in the TAC Cup and the young defender beamed when he was told the good news a couple of weeks back.
“It’s always good and he’s another one – we’ve wanted to give him an opportunity for a few weeks now, but being at Haileybury we’re limited as to when we can get him, but it’s great when you can tell somebody that they’re going to play their first game,” Black said.
“He had the biggest smile on his face for a couple of days – always a feel good story when you can give someone an opportunity.”
Gains thanked his parents for their support and his coaches at school, club and TAC Cup level, especially Craig Black for giving him a chance with the Stingrays.
