Change: Former basketballers Cam McCallum, left, and Ryan Barnes will play football for Learmonth next season. PICTURE: JUSTIN WHITELOCK
CAM McCallum and Ryan Barnes have traded shooting for three points in for shooting for six.
The two former basketballers have joined Central Highlands Football League club Learmonth just weeks after leaving the SEABL and the Ballarat Miners.
It is another recruiting coup for the Mazda Honda Lakies, who will be coached by former AFL coach and Richmond premiership player John Northey.
Barnes last played football at junior level, with the Sunbury Kangaroos and Rupertswood. That was about seven years ago.
McCallum, meanwhile, has played virtually no senior football apart from a couple of games as a fill-in in a Melbourne district competition.
However, both have the physical attibutes to succeed in their new sport. Barnes is 197cm tall, McCallum 198cm.
“I’ve played basketball pretty much my whole life. I thought I had had enough for the time being and wanted to play football,” McCallum said.
“I’ve always had an interest in footy, watching it on TV, but I’ve never had the time to have a crack at it. Basketball was seven days a week, and pretty much flat out.
“I didn’t even play juniors really. I was straight out of school and went overseas to play basketball in the college system.
“I’ve played two games in reserves in Melbourne when my boss was coaching and I filled in.”
“Barnes, 24, and McCallum, 23, work with Northey at Ballarat Specialist School.
Northey’s decision to coach at Learmonth was a decisive factor in their choice of club.
Prior to that they were at the Miners for three seasons before announcing their departure from the club three weeks ago.
gavin.mcgrath@thecourier.com.au
