Yves Rubasha is living proof that anything can be achieved through hard work.
The 19-year-old from Rockdale made his international football debut earlier this month for Rwanda’s under 23s as part of their 2016 Olympic qualifiers.
Rubasha, born in Kenya to a Kenyan mother and Rwandan father, had never stepped foot inside his ancestral home before his call-up.
After his father had escaped to Kenya during Rwanda’s civil war in the mid-1990s, Rubasha’s family eventually settled in Australia when he was three.
Since then, football has been his life.
After playing junior football with Sans Souci and St George, Rubasha had a trial with American Major League Soccer club, Portland, and was accepted into their youth system.
But it hasn’t always been easy for the young defender who endured years of rejection.
‘‘Teams just weren’t picking him,’’ said his brother Ian.
‘‘Teams were telling him he was too small. Most kids that age would just give up but Yves kept working.
‘‘He kept training every day. He dragged me to the park. He had the drive and passion that was just out of this world.’’
Rubasha made his debut for Rwanda in their 2-0 win against Somalia. Rwanda won the tie 3-1 on aggregate and will take on Uganda next week.
Another win would see them face Egypt and bring the dream of the 2016 Rio Olympics another step closer.
Rubasha told The Leader from Kigali, Rwanda, where he remains in camp with the Olympic squad, that it was amazing to be playing international football.
‘‘When I arrived here everything was crazy,’’ he said.
‘‘The media heard about an Australia-Rwandese player playing in the US with an MLS academy and so they were expecting big things from me.
‘‘But I thrived and really enjoyed this experience.
‘‘It’s a lot more intense and physically demanding than what I’m used to but I’ve adapted and I’m learning more each day.’’
His family could not be prouder of him.
‘‘The work ethic he has and the work he has put in are incredible,’’ Ian said.
‘‘Every time he got told something negative, he’d just put in 10 times more.
‘‘It was always about football for him.’’
Rubasha said he was yet to decide on his international allegiance and left the door open to one day pull on the green and gold of Australia.
‘‘I’ve grown up in Australia my whole life despite being born in Kenya,’’ he said.
‘‘Australia is home for me, so if the opportunity came I would have to really sit down and think about it.
‘‘But I am enjoying representing the country of my roots as Africa is my blood and these are my people.
‘‘The most important thing for me is to be playing international football.’’
As well as international duty, Rubasha said he was loving the experience of playing and training as a professional footballer in the US.
‘‘It’s awesome,’’ he said.
‘‘I’ve been at the club for a few months and love every minute of it.
‘‘It’s a fantastic club with amazing facilities.
‘‘They really make us academy players feel special.
‘‘I will be looking to push for the under 23s but also look at my chances in Europe.’’
Europe is never far from his young mind, with hopes of eventually playing in one of the glamorous European leagues.
‘‘My future plans are to play at the highest level which is in Europe,’’ Rubasha said.
‘‘Any of the big leagues. EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga. After playing in America and learning a lot and improving more as a player each day I am planning on testing myself in Europe.’’
Rubasha also has a fine pedigree to go along with his talent.
His maternal grandfather, Jonathan Niva, was a Kenyan football legend who played and coached the national team in the 1960s and 1970s.
A man his mother, Rouz, is proud her son is emulating.
‘‘I’m glad someone is following in his footsteps,’’ she said.
‘‘Yves told me ‘Mum, I’m going to be a star. You watch me.’
‘‘We’re very proud of him.’’
What do you think of Yves Rubasha’s chances of going to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games?
