Brisbane Lions player Liam Dawson has been named Brisbane Juniors Ambassador for 2016.
The rising AFL star will work with AFL Queensland to promote the competition to girls and boys across Brisbane.
Dawson said he is honoured to be given the opportunity.
“Being named AFL Queensland Brisbane Juniors Ambassador is something I will cherish for life,” he said.
“I remember starting out in the Brisbane Juniors when I was ten years old. I got so much fun and enjoyment out of the competition and I’m really looking forward to sharing that with the boys and girls coming through today.”
A product of the Queensland talented player pathway, Dawson cut his teeth in the Brisbane Juniors, where he played with the Redcliffe Tigers from Under 12s through to Under 16s.
He represented Queensland Under 18s in 2013 and 2014 and is an AFL AIS Academy as well as Lions Academy graduate.
Dawson was nominated by Brisbane as an Academy Selection and was the club’s first pick in the 2014 AFL National Draft, at number 44.
He had a fairy-tale debut season at the Lions, playing 10 games and combining with fellow Brisbane Juniors product Harris Andrews to form an integral part of the Lions’ back six.
Photo: Deion Menzies & Liam Dawson
Brisbane Juniors President Deion Menzies said Dawson was the perfect choice to be the face of the competition.
“Liam is an impressive young man and a great role model for junior players who aspire to play at the highest level,” said Menzies.
“He played with Redcliffe Tigers throughout his junior years and exemplifies our belief that it doesn’t matter which club, or division you play in, if you have the talent and work hard you can succeed.”
Dawson is one of six Brisbane Juniors graduates currently on the Lions list; Jonathon Freeman (Kenmore Bears), Matthew Hammelmann (Carindale/Morningside), Harris Andrews (Aspley), Ben Keays (Morningside) and Reuben William (Zillmere) also donning the famous Guernsey.
Brisbane Juniors competitions kick off on April 15 . To find your nearest club head to www.aflbj.com
