Try Time

The first in a fiction series for young athletes by a star of Australian rugby

Josh can play soccer, or "footy." He's fast and fleet-footed and a blur down the sideline. But there's one small problem. Every time he steps onto the field a stampede of elephant-sized butterflies invade his stomach and he fumbles the ball. Having his footy-mad grandfather screaming from the sidelines doesn't help his confidence either. To top it off, he blows an easy try and loses his team the opening game of the season. Things get so bad Josh thinks about giving up playing forever. That is, until rugby legend and Josh's hero, Billy Slater, turns up at training one day. Can Billy help Josh overcome his nerves and hang onto the ball long enough to score?