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Geraldton-bred Sharks young gun selected in Bachar Houli Foundation Academy squadTuesday, June 3, 2025 - 11:06 AM - by Jordan McArdle
East Fremantle young gun Riaz Mohammad has been selected in the 2025 Bachar Houli Foundation Academy, made up of the best Islamic football talents in the country.
The 17-year-old from Geraldton is the lone representative from WAFL after an invitation from the Foundation’s Head of Programs and High Performance and former St Kilda forward Ahmed Saad.
“I met Ahmed Saad at the Bachar Houli Foundation’s Iftar dinner in March and he spoke to me about how the program works and about how he’s interested on getting me on board in the foundation,” Mohammad said.
“I’m looking forward to learning from experienced coaches, meeting the other athletes in the Foundation and growing as a person, on and off the field.
“I’m slowly getting involved with helping mentor the senior academy Bachar Houli Foundation trial day this month (Saturday, June 28) which I’m looking forward to.”
Mohammad’s parents were also born in Geraldton, with their extended family from the Cocos Islands and Christmas Islands which are more into rugby and soccer than Aussie rules.
“I am different compared to everyone else because we don’t get many Cocos and Christmas Islanders playing AFL football, mainly because rugby and soccer are the most common sports played.
“I am Cocos Malay - our culture is deeply rooted in Muslim faith but we a more distinctive with our customs and celebrations.”
Mohammad played soccer in his younger years before switching to footy when he was seven years old.
He started with Auskick before joining Brigades Football Club’s under-eights team and going all the way through to league ranks.
The speedy defender, now in his second season of WAFL colts, moved to Perth over the off-season after being included in the WA Under-18s Summer Squad.
“I started playing football at the age of seven, changing sports from soccer,” he reflected.
“I already knew how to kick and handball from playing football with my dad in the backyard and picking up skills from watching AFL games on TV, especially the Eagles from my dad being a supporter, that’s really how I got attracted to football.
“I started playing Auskick, I think I played only three games until I got told that I was too good for Auskick and was told to find a football club to play at, that’s when I started playing under-eights at Brigades and then finished playing league there.
“I’m now playing for East Fremantle colts this year in what’s my 10th year of football.
“Last year I was planning to move to Perth around February to start my football season with East Fremantle football club but I didn’t expect to move right away at the end of 2024 after being selected in the WA State Summer Squad program during the pre-season.”
East Fremantle colts coach Sam Mainwaring said he’d been blown away by the talented teenager’s resilience and adaptability through challenges most other young footballers don’t face.
“Riaz has blown us away with his level of resilience and adaptability,” Mainwaring said.
“He recently moved from Geraldton to Perth and participated in two programs over the pre-season - the State 18s summer training and East Fremantle colts.
“Things didn’t get easier for Riaz as he then observed Ramadan in the heat of pre-season games.
“These are challenges most players are not faced with, which shows you the level of commitment Riaz has to his own personal growth and his football.”
Mohammad is one of four non-Victorian players in the program this year.
“It’s fantastic to see the talent on display in our communities across Australia,” Saad said.
“These young men take every little bit we have to offer, and it’s no surprise to see they’re starting to reap the rewards of playing high-level football.
“We look forward to continuing and supporting the ongoing development of each footballer on-field, but just as importantly for us at the Foundation, off-field as leaders as well.”
Mohammad has played 14 colts games for the Sharks, including seven this season, averaging 12 disposals and three tackles.
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