Ben witnesses to Jesus on and off the footy field
By Brent Diamond
WERRIBEE Tigers player Ben Lavars has two religions, and he knew one day they would collide.
An avid Christian, the Kardinia Christian Church in Geelong is his spiritual home. Apart from Bartercard Oval, it's his home away from home.
The 21yearold works with primary school-aged children. He visits schools around the Geelong district to teach them Christian values in religious education programs. He also studies ministerial education in his spare time. ``Yeah, it's very different I suppose. A lot of them [football players] are just your standard tradies or businessmen and that sort of thing, so coming and working at church and religion with
kids and that sort of thing is a bit different,'' Lavars said. ``I really enjoy it. I sort of have done some youth stuff in the past [and] just work with younger primary-aged kids now.
``I was just helping out Sunday mornings at the church. ``I suppose I just grew a passion for it and that sort of thing. So it just sort of developed over a few years and [I] just sort of found that that's what I wanted to do.''
The Herne Hill resident said football was his priority on Sundays, despite Sunday traditionally being a church and rest day. ``Because I only miss eight Sundays out of the footy season, it's something that we
can work around.''He said his love for footy stemmed from a ``good bunch of mates''. ``When I was a
kid, you just loved it because you loved hanging around your mates. I suppose playing seniors back home and just getting a good bunch of mates around you, it just becomes a passion that you really want to do.''
On the field, Lavars is hoping to cement a spot in the senior team this year after making his debut with the
Tigers last year. He played two senior matches and 14 reserves matches and admits being nervous in his debut senior match last year against Box Hill Hawks, which was broadcast on ABC television. ``I was a
bit shakey. My first game was a TV game, which just freaked me out _ I didn't watch the replay because I had a shocker of a game. ``I suppose the next week I was a bit more relaxed and knew what to expect and that sort of thing, and had a bit better of a game, but I probably didn't perform to the standard that I wanted to.''
A premiership player for the Geelong Amateurs in the Bellarine Football League in 2004, Lavars had a foundation of success from the junior ranks in Geelong West as a nineyearold. He played alongside ultra-
competitive players such as Haami Williams, Tim McLean and the Clarke brothers, Sam and Tim. Geelong Football League powerhouse South Barwon approached him shortly after the Swans the 2005 flag. He then accepted an invitation to train with the Tigers. The blonde-haired young gun has a killer instinct and elusive pace in the midfield and is slowly starting to get it together on the backline.
The dynamic midfielder has a huge case to plead to Tiger coach Simon Atkins and his coaching assistants this year.
Lavars has had his best pre-season for four years and is feeling more confident than ever about his football career. ``I've always had niggling injuries but this year's been really good, and I've been
able to stay on the track and do all the training ... I just want to play as much senior footy as I can this year. ``Beyond that I'm not really sure. I'd love to get invited to train at an AFL club _ you
sort of strive for that but you don't want to set yourself an unrealistic goal.
Last Modified on 22/02/2008 10:53