World Footy News

Danish footballer Mikkel Kjoge has dreams to follow in the footsteps of fellow Dane, Aksel Bang, and make it to an AFL team list in Australia. Having just tested at the AFL Europe Talent Combine in Dublin (one of just two non-Irish players to test), Mikkel is keen to chase his dream further, and confident that he can.

 

The following is Mikkel’s story, looking at his early playing days, his journey to date and where he hopes to be in the very near future.

 

 

“I first heard of Aussie Rules when I was about nine years old from a family friend. My mom’s cousin had been playing for quite a while, and to begin with he was my head figure. I went to my first practice with Farum Cats when I was nine. I was a little kid and everybody would just throw me around but I liked the roughness. I kept up the spirit and went to practice every week and I liked it even more every week. I always loved sports and I played soccer when I was younger, but I found AFL way more fun.” 

 

“I’m a quick learner and I grew into the sport quite fast and became pretty good for my age, and since I love progress and had a lot of support, I began to take the sport more seriously.”

“I went to Australia for the first time in 2009 with the junior national team of Denmark, to play against Geelong College and other teams. Farum Cats and Geelong College had this exchange agreement, which meant that two Danish players could receive a term scholarship in Geelong, so I went. It was a great experience and I would definitely do it again since I grew a lot as a footballer, and a lot as a person.”

“In April 2012 I was selected to go to join the European Legion in London for the Easter series. We did a lot of testing and because of my results, and other things, I was given a spot on the World 18 team to play in the National Under 16 championships in Sydney. I learned a lot and became even more interested in making AFL a career. The three weeks in Australia with the World 18 was pretty much the time of my life. I loved living as a professional footballer, and playing the sport that I love.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I went to London again in 2013 with the European Legion, and again in 2014 where I was captain for the European side. Other than that we won the Danish premiership four years in a row, and I went on many trips with the Danish National side to play international matches such as the Euro Cup - that we one this year.”

“Everything I do, I do to become a better footballer, to hopefully one day be the first Dane to play a senior match for an AFL club in Australia. This would be my biggest dream, and definitely something I aim for. I was invited to the combine and I saw it as an opportunity to prove myself right.”

 “I’m ready to do anything to play in the AFL.”

“In February 2015, I’m going to Australia to join a team in Melbourne. This meant I had to quit my job as a soldier in the Danish army and leave family and friends in Denmark, to come closer to playing AFL some day. That’s how much I want to do this.”

“I have a lot more experience within footy than any of the Irish footballers, and I am sure that Danes can make it in to the AFL as well, if only someone takes the first step, which I want to do.”

 

If confidence and determination are anything to go by, then Mikkel is well on his way to his dream. We will keep track of Mikkel’s progress as he continues his inspired and exciting journey.