In 2013, 8 year old Yoav Goldberg moved to Australia from Israel with no English and no knowledge of AFL. In Round 2, Yoav was given the opportunity to be the Junior Mascot. Below is a letter from Yoav’s teacher, Dvora Zylberman.

COMING to a new country can be challenging – especially if you are in grade 2!

However, Yoav Goldberg of Sholem Aleichem College has settled into Australia with ease.

Yoav and his family moved to Australia from Israel in mid-2013 and had no knowledge of the English language.

In less than a year, Yoav has learnt to read, write and speak English and he couldn’t be prouder of himself. His hard work and very sweet demeanour was recognised immediately by his teachers and they wanted to reward him for his achievements.

That’s where the Melbourne Football Club got involved.

With the help of the community department, his teachers were able to organise the best first football experience a child could dream of. 

Not only would this ‘Read like a Demon’ student get to attend his first football game at the MCG, he would be the Melbourne Football Club’s junior mascot at the West Coast Eagles game! This involved getting his very own team uniform and getting to run out with the one and only Bernie Vince.

The experience was incredible for Yoav, who has fast become a die-hard Demons fan. He has been telling his classmates about his experience all week and has had a grin from ear to ear.

Sholem Aleichem College and Yoav’s parents are very grateful to the Melbourne Football Club for organising such a special day for such a special little boy!