World Footy News

Yuta Kobayashi is Victoria's trainee of the year for 2009 for his work traveling to India and coaching the nation's team for last year's International Cup.

Kobayashi has been working as a multicultural development officer for the AFL in Melbourne while completing his tertiary studies in sports management, and recently became AFL club Carlton's Community and Sponsorship Executive. Born in Japan but raised in Melbourne, the 24-year-old taught Aussie Rules to more than 100 Indian residents in Kolkata as part of his traineeship with the Australian Football League while studying Certificates III and IV in Sports and Recreation at Swinburne TAFE.

The Indian team was drawn from local police, universities and homeless youth. Kobayashi says “It was a great opportunity to see the excitement of young men from all walks of life in Kolkata having the chance to travel overseas – many for the first time – and represent their country.”

Mr Kobayashi, who is now the Carlton Football Club’s Community and Sponsorship Executive, accepted his award from Victorian Skills and Workforce Participation Minister Jacinta Allan at last night’s 2009 Victorian Training Awards held at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne.