Key Points
- Anshu Ale is the only footballer with a Nepali background in Brisbane Strikers Football Club
- The 17-year-old, who had the opportunity to play in Spain at age 10, says children in Australia need more guidance in sports from an early age.
- After completing high school, he plans on pursuing professional football.
Mr Ale, who arrived in Australia as a toddler with his parents in 2007, shared his sporting journey from competing in Australia's National Premier Leagues (NPL) to training in Spain, all while balancing his studies.
His mother, Anita Adhikari Ale, said that when her son started playing football at the age of eight, she was unaware of the opportunities available for children in sports.
When she received a letter about a football training camp in Spain, she thought it was simply an advertising campaign.
Anshu Ale with his mother Anita Adhikari Ale. Credit: Facebook/Anita Adhikari Ale
“That is where his football journey actually started. We did not even know that there were football clubs for children,” Ms Ale told SBS Nepali.
“There, he got to play in the Donosti Cup, an international football tournament for kids. Before that, he just played in small clubs here [Australia], and there he saw the bigger world of football.”
Schooling and football in Australia
In 2022, Mr Ale competed in the U-16 National Premier Leagues Queensland, representing his team, Brisbane Strikers.
The same year, he also received a one-month scholarship to train with Rayo Vallecano, a professional football club based in Spain.
“Going over there and seeing how they play and how their academies are set up, it was unbelievable, compared to here [Australia],” he told SBS Nepali.
“We were watching a Real Madrid B-team game, and one of the tour guides was telling us how most of those players won’t even play pro [professional] in a few years.”
What I have learned is that there is no room for complacency. As soon as you start dropping off, there are millions of other players who are willing to put in double what you are.Anshu Ale
Anshu Ale (front row, third from the right) with Brisbane Strikers FC. Credit: Facebook/Brisbane Strikers FC
“In places like Europe with the big clubs and rich history of football, they mostly play football and around that they have school,” he said.
“Whereas here, it’s completely different. School is the main thing and football is like a side thing.”
Support from family
Ms Ale said that as a migrant in Australia, her main priority is to support her children to pursue their talents.
“I think it also comes from the fact that I did not have the opportunity to pursue sports as a teenager although I was good at it,” she said.
For both our children, we have never forced them to become anything. We have always supported them in their career goals.Anita Adhikari Ale
Anshu Ale (C) with his parents. Credit: Facebook/Anita Adhikari Ale
Challenges in becoming 'pro'
While Ms Ale hopes her son can pursue a professional football career, she acknowledges that competition is fierce.
“We have to do Anshu’s registration, and his registration number is in 200,000s,” she said.
“That reminds us how many children all over Australia play football.”
She said the Nepali-language community in Australia has not yet produced a professional footballer in Australia.
“Many Nepali football players in Australia, who used to play in national teams back in Nepal – here [Australia] they are compelled to play in communal clubs and matches, which don’t really have a future,” she said.
“That is the community we come from, and we should not forget that reality while setting our expectations for Anshu.”
Listen to our conversation with Ale and his mother
'If I can live out the rest of my life just from that, that’s the best thing that could happen.'
41:11
A future in football
In July 2023, Mr Ale’s team drew a friendly U-18 match with Melbourne City FC, a match watched by the youngster's cousin, Rubin Gurung.
“It’s nice to know someone, especially your cousin, to be at such a high level at football,” Mr Gurung said.
“It was a good experience to see how out-of-state teams play with the teams in Victoria, especially Melbourne City, which is an academy team.”
As for Mr Ale, becoming a professional footballer is the ultimate goal.
“I can’t see myself in any other job, to be honest,” he said.
I really want to be a footballer. If I can live out the rest of my life just from that, that’s the best thing that could happen.Anshu Ale
Apart from playing football, Mr Ale is an Assistant Coach for the U-13 team of Brisbane Strikers FC.
