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Majak
he autobiography of a true trailblazer, Sudanese refugee and AFL champion, Majak Daw.
At the peak of his powers, and with the world at his feet after a breakout season in the Australian Football League (AFL), the North Melbourne Kangaroos' Majak Daw was on the verge of finally becoming one of the AFL's bona fide superstars - but it all came crashing down.
After secretly battling years of mental health issues, the Sudanese-born phenomenon leapt off the Bolte Bridge in Melbourne in a shock attempt to end his life.
Daw's story is like no other and the reason for his shocking fall in December, 2018, has been left untold, until now.
When he burst onto scene in 2009 as an 18-year-old rookie with little experience, Daw captured the attention and imagination of hundreds of thousands of people and became an inspiration to countless others in his community as the game's first African-born player.
Daw's journey through life and into the elite levels of Australia's most popular sport was anything but smooth and along the way, he faced and overcame many unique challenges including one that almost cost his life.
After fleeing war-torn Sudan with his family at the age of eight in search for a better life, Daw along with his mother and six siblings spent a number of years in Egypt fighting for a new beginning and a sense of belonging.
Forced to find full-time work at just nine years of age in a furniture factory to help his mother put food on the table and make ends meet, Daw was subjected to bullying and racism in an unfamiliar country full of people split by strong religious beliefs and prejudice.
Eventually Daw and his family were granted entry to Australia and there, they sought refuge made a new home in Melbourne's south-west but again, they still battled to fit in.
In his early teenage years, Daw finally found something in common with other students, when he discovered the game of Australian rules football through an invitation to play kick-to-kick during lunch at high school. After experiencing the sport for the first time, he was quickly dubbed a 'natural' and convinced his parents to allow him to play. As Daw's skills grew, so too did his network of friends and prospects of playing the sport at a professional level.
Explosive, athletic and able to do things on the football field other players could only dream of, Daw's talents were undeniable and soon garnered the attention of AFL recruiters around the country. His remarkable rise, despite having picked up the game at such a late age, turned heads and started to make headlines as club's began to jostle to acquire Daw's signature. It was North Melbourne that eventually won out, offering Daw a rookie contract and in doing so, making his dream of playing in the AFL a reality.
Daw's breakthrough made news overseas, such was his accomplishment and from the moment he slipped on the club's famous royal blue and white striped jumper, he was a media sensation with journalists and photographers following his every move. Daw was arguably placed under more scrutiny than any other player in his position had ever been before and was somewhat weighed down by unfair expectations and responsibilities. Not only did he have to fight to keep his dream of playing in the league alive, but he was also expected to be a role model for migrant youth and speak for his community, as the city around him was being gripped by a wave of 'African gang' violence and crime.
Through it all, Daw was a beacon of hope and was a constant example of perseverance and determination. He stood tall in the face of vicious racial vilification, shattering runs with injury and the disappointment of not making the Kangaroos' senior team.
Three years after joining the Roos however, his time finally arrived and Daw made history when he was handed his first game in Round 4, 2013 against the Br
At the peak of his powers, and with the world at his feet after a breakout season in the Australian Football League (AFL), the North Melbourne Kangaroos' Majak Daw was on the verge of finally becoming one of the AFL's bona fide superstars - but it all came crashing down.
After secretly battling years of mental health issues, the Sudanese-born phenomenon leapt off the Bolte Bridge in Melbourne in a shock attempt to end his life.
Daw's story is like no other and the reason for his shocking fall in December, 2018, has been left untold, until now.
When he burst onto scene in 2009 as an 18-year-old rookie with little experience, Daw captured the attention and imagination of hundreds of thousands of people and became an inspiration to countless others in his community as the game's first African-born player.
Daw's journey through life and into the elite levels of Australia's most popular sport was anything but smooth and along the way, he faced and overcame many unique challenges including one that almost cost his life.
After fleeing war-torn Sudan with his family at the age of eight in search for a better life, Daw along with his mother and six siblings spent a number of years in Egypt fighting for a new beginning and a sense of belonging.
Forced to find full-time work at just nine years of age in a furniture factory to help his mother put food on the table and make ends meet, Daw was subjected to bullying and racism in an unfamiliar country full of people split by strong religious beliefs and prejudice.
Eventually Daw and his family were granted entry to Australia and there, they sought refuge made a new home in Melbourne's south-west but again, they still battled to fit in.
In his early teenage years, Daw finally found something in common with other students, when he discovered the game of Australian rules football through an invitation to play kick-to-kick during lunch at high school. After experiencing the sport for the first time, he was quickly dubbed a 'natural' and convinced his parents to allow him to play. As Daw's skills grew, so too did his network of friends and prospects of playing the sport at a professional level.
Explosive, athletic and able to do things on the football field other players could only dream of, Daw's talents were undeniable and soon garnered the attention of AFL recruiters around the country. His remarkable rise, despite having picked up the game at such a late age, turned heads and started to make headlines as club's began to jostle to acquire Daw's signature. It was North Melbourne that eventually won out, offering Daw a rookie contract and in doing so, making his dream of playing in the AFL a reality.
Daw's breakthrough made news overseas, such was his accomplishment and from the moment he slipped on the club's famous royal blue and white striped jumper, he was a media sensation with journalists and photographers following his every move. Daw was arguably placed under more scrutiny than any other player in his position had ever been before and was somewhat weighed down by unfair expectations and responsibilities. Not only did he have to fight to keep his dream of playing in the league alive, but he was also expected to be a role model for migrant youth and speak for his community, as the city around him was being gripped by a wave of 'African gang' violence and crime.
Through it all, Daw was a beacon of hope and was a constant example of perseverance and determination. He stood tall in the face of vicious racial vilification, shattering runs with injury and the disappointment of not making the Kangaroos' senior team.
Three years after joining the Roos however, his time finally arrived and Daw made history when he was handed his first game in Round 4, 2013 against the Br
- GenresBiography
336 pages, Paperback
Published August 3, 2021
4 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 9, 2021
As a North Melbourne supporter, and a person who has met Maj on multiple occasions, this book has taught me a lot more about mental health, the struggles of not belonging in society, and the highs and lows of professional sports. Majak's journey is like no other, it is inspirational, from starting footy in his teens, to being the first Sudanese born to play in the AFL. It is an open and honest book that every sportslover and AFL fan has to read!
August 9, 2021
Tapered off to the end but such an inspiring story and one that needs to be told! Great insight into the pressures of being a high profile AFL footballer and the challenges that continue to be faced because of racism. The vulnerability and sharing of Majak's struggles with mental health is a vital and important read.
September 16, 2024
As a North supporter, I watched Majak from the sidelines and saw how hard he worked. I couldn’t believe the news when I woke up one morning, it just continues to show us that mental health is not linked to one particular group but can touch anybody. Such an amazing story of overcoming diversity and challenges to continue to do the thing you love.
February 8, 2022
Great story, he has had an amazingly difficult life and has done so much. It’s inspiring. Just ignore the quote from Dermot Brereton towards the end as it’s factually incorrect.
April 25, 2022
Interesting and he’s had quite a life! Important for budding footy players from multicultural backgrounds or those suffering mental health issues.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews