Ben rocks the

By Justin Robertson
ST JOHN’S footballer Ben Ayache was given a chance to represent Victoria in the VAFA’s under-18 squad tour of New Zealand.
His coach of two years picked him based on his form throughout the season – one of only two picked from his club – and the Endeavour Hills midfielder did not let him down kicking a bag of six goals during their second match against the Kiwis last month.
He earned a trophy for his best-on-ground effort in a performance he won’t forget too soon.
“It’s a Victorian team, so to play for your state it’s a huge honour,” he said. “Coming off the ground after that match I was really sore, but it was a great feeling kicking six for the Vics.”
The under-18 invitational squad of 24 travelled to the picturesque city of Christchurch – a city that is still putting together the pieces after their September earthquake – at the end of October and played two games against an older under-20s New Zealand outfit.
The VAFA side took the honours in both games, winning by four goals and 40 points respectively.
The 7.1 magnitude earthquake that happened on 4 September and shook South Island caused widespread damage, particularly to Christchurch, New Zealand’s second largest city.
Although the quake hit more than eight weeks ago Ayache said there were some homes and tiny shops still making repairs and restorations.
“We were meant to go go-karting one day but their roof had caved in from the earthquake, so we didn’t do that,” said the livewire goal sneak. “But what we did see was the odd house with rubble still lying beside it – no cracked roads or anything like that.”
Hampton Park’s Corey Ely, who also plays with Ayache at St Johns, also made the trip across the Tasman Sea and was mentioned twice in the best for the VAFA.
Ely won the club’s best-and-fairest while Ayache finished third.
Ayache – who has played footy for 10 years, spending eight years at Mossgiel Park and one year at Narre Warren – said he relished his five-day experience in New Zealand.
“It was different to what I thought it would be like – the streets were quiet, the people were really friendly and all the New Zealand players were tall and big,” he said.
“The games were played with great intensity and we were lucky that we got to play in front of big crowds, who cheered for both teams.”
With a VAFA best-on-ground performance under his belt, Ayache is about to start pre-season training with the Casey Scorpions, looking to break into the VFL.
“At this stage it’s just pre-season, I can always play for St John’s” he said. “But we’ll see how it pans out.”