In 2011, Aron Asfaha and his family moved to Australia from Africa, not knowing a word of English and having never seen Australian Rules football before.

Last weekend, 20-year-old Asfaha made his SANFL debut with the Crows.

Asfaha grew up in Eritrea with his grandmother and grandfather, while his mum, dad and four brothers were living in Sudan.

He was living with his grandparents because he couldn’t get the documentation required to go live with his family in Sudan, and only met his parents when he was 13-years-old.

Once his family decided to migrate to Australia for better opportunities and education - Asfaha only went to school from years one to five in Africa - he was allowed to join his family in Sudan and he lived there for a year before moving to Australia as a 15-year-old.

As first, it was difficult for Asfaha and his family to get used to the environment in Australia, especially considering they couldn’t speak English.

However, Asfaha enrolled in the Adelaide Secondary School of English and after two years of hard work, he became fluent in English.

It was during that time he was introduced to football. In Africa, Asfaha played soccer and loved it until he moved to Adelaide and realised there wasn’t as much opportunity to play here.

It didn’t matter though, because he soon discovered a sport he enjoyed more.

“I found that football was more interesting when I watched it on TV,” Asfaha said.

While studying at the Adelaide Secondary School of English, Asfaha was influenced by Emmanuel Irra, who was drafted to Port Adelaide as a rookie last year, to get involved with the game.

“Emmanuel used to come to school and teach people how to kick the footy, that is how I started enjoying football,” Asfaha said.

“I had a friend at school who played footy and I just hung out with him and kicked the football at recess and lunch.”

Irra took Asfaha to the Fitzroy Football Club where he started playing properly in Under-16’s, winning the most improved award after his first season.

After a year, he moved to play for North Clare in the country, last year he came back to the city and won the best and fairest at Greenacres and this year, he is playing for Glenunga.

Though it seems like Asfaha picked up the sport naturally, it was quite difficult for him in the first few years.

“The first game I played, I didn’t know most of the rules but my coach just chucked me in there,” he said.

“I was giving away a lot of free kicks and running too far.

“My English wasn’t that good at the time, so it was hard to listen to my coach and play to instructions.

“As I played more games though, I just picked it up. It was a good journey.”

A worthy journey too. Along with the awards he won at club level, Asfaha applied and trialled with the SANFL Crows development squad last year and was accepted into the squad.

The speedy defender made his debut in Round Four against Centrals, which was a proud moment for him.

“It was very special, I had 25 tickets and my parents and siblings were watching,” Asfaha said.

“I can’t believe I have done it.

“To play a State League game, I was so proud of myself, after trying so hard and not giving up.”

A few years earlier, Asfaha also represented his high school, Temple Christian College, which he moved to in year 10 after the two years at the Adelaide Secondary School of English.

In his final year of schooling, he won the premiership with Temple alongside Ben Jarman, his now SANFL Crows teammate.

Playing his first game of SANFL alongside his mate was one of the best parts of his debut.

“What was most special about the debut was playing with Ben Jarman again, after we played school football together,” Asfaha said.

“It was so special to play with him again.”

Asfaha has loved his time in the development squad, everyone at the Club has been incredibly welcoming, friendly and supportive of him.

He can see a lot of improvement in his football, not just with his skills but also reading the game.

“’ROK’ (State League coach Ryan O’Keefe) has really taught me to not just play the game but learn the game,” Asfaha said.

“Not just kicking and handballing, but observing as well.”

Now, he has his sights set on going all the way to the top of football.

“I want to go all the way, my dream is to play at least one AFL game,” Asfaha said.

“I am taking it step by step and working really hard on the track, so I can hopefully get drafted either as a rookie or senior listed player at the end of the year or next.”

Asfaha and the rest of the SANFL Crows are taking on Norwood in Adelaide’s only Friday night game of the year at Coopers Stadium at 7.20pm tonight.