He had never kicked a real soccer ball until arriving in Oz, now he's No. 1

Albury Hotspurs SC's Ava Tuksar (left), Melrose FC's Maya Davis, Albury City FC's Ben Sredojevic and Myrtleford Savoy SC's Jayden Vescio will contest the Albury Wodonga Football Association Cup finals on Saturday. Picture by Phoebe Adams

A child of one of the first Bhutanese families to arrive on the Border almost 20 years ago has claimed the Albury-Wodonga Football Association (AWFA) Star Player award.

or signup to continue reading

All articles from our website & app

The digital version of Today's Paper

Melrose FC's Ramesh Basnet won the division one men's crown on 26 votes from Boomers FC duo Jordan Hore (20) and Andrew Grove (19) on Monday night.

"I didn't go into the night thinking I was going to win because I was injured and missed six games," the forward said.

"My parents weren't there, but seeing how happy they were later made it even more special."

Basnet was born in a refugee camp in Nepal, but his mum Ganga is Bhutanese, while his stepfather David is Australian.

He started playing soccer in the camp.

"We used anything plastic we could find and squash it together and use rope to tie it together to make a ball," he said.

The family moved to Australia in 2008 when Basnet was 10 as part of the first wave of Bhutanese settlement in Albury-Wodonga. A decade later, 1500 Bhutanese lived on the Border.

"It was difficult not knowing the language and no one else speaks your language," Basnet said.

"At the start we didn't get out of the house for at least three months.

"Even seeing the cars drive past was very strange because we only saw cars once every eon, when we went out for a festival.

"Hopping off the plane was overwhelming and then seeing all these cars.

"At the start it was like a miracle, back then it was like travelling to another world."

The family's volunteer suggested the youngster join Albury United Soccer Club and he played there for eight years.

Ramesh Basnet claimed AWFA's top award. Picture supplied

"The adults were very understanding because they know where we came from, but it was a bit harder at school because we were pretty much the first from a different culture," he said.

"People were very kind and we still speak to a lot of the people now who met when we first arrived.

"I was more of an extrovert, so I spoke to people and hung around them even though my English was poor. I was very active with my sport as well."

After his upbringing on the Border, the now 28-year-old started a plumbing apprenticeship in Sydney and lived there for six years, focusing largely on his career.

But the death of his older brother Bhim in a car accident four years ago prompted his return.

"At the start it was harder to speak about, but as time has started the healing it's not as hard to talk about it now," he said.

Basnet moved to Melrose FC this year and it is one of several changes in his life after starting his own business - Remstar Plumbing.

Tegan Richardson won the division one Star Player. Picture supplied

Meanwhile, Melrose made it a double with Tegan Richardson winning the Star Player - 19 years after her first.

Richardson claimed the 2007 award under her maiden name Tegan Martin, before moving to Canberra for university.

The former NSW junior played the first year while studying primary school teaching, but had not played consistently since until recent years.

However, a move back to Albury in 2021 was followed by a return to the sport in 2024.

"I got back into it to role model for my kids (Mabel, now 5 and Albie, now 4)," she said.

"I wanted to show them the importance of team sport and fitness, but also feel like I was a strong mum and they were proud of their mum.

"That for me makes this (award) really special and they're at an age now where they get to see that."

The 37-year-old was asked how she is a different player now to her first win as a teenager.

"I feel quite similar, to be honest," she said.

"Maybe my body still moves pretty well and I feel lucky that I can keep up."

Richardson has been versatile, but is now playing as a striker or wide midfielder on the left.

She topped the goalscoring with 25 - six ahead of her nearest rival.

Melrose claimed the league title by a point from Albury Hotspurs and will face them again in Saturday's cup final.

"I'm feeling very nervous, but we're excited," she said. "While we won the league, I don't go in thinking we're favourites by any means."

The women's decider will be held at Baranduda Fields Sporting Complex from 4pm, while Albury City FC and Myrtleford Savoy SC clash in the men's decider from 6.30pm.

Only one City player - David Samiec - was born when the club last won a cup crown in 1994 against St Pats FC.

The club recently claimed its first league title since 1994, finishing four points ahead of Myrtleford after the regular season.

"This means a lot to the club," coach Adam Carty said. "We're a very proud club and it was originally formed (in 1974) from the local Greek community, which is still largely involved and some of our stronger support base.

"The Andronicos, Georgiou, Cominos and Veneris families, among others, were part of some really strong sides and heritage, and a number of members from those early days still go to games in their shirts and scarves, it's fantastic."

Be the first to know when news breaks.