Mum determined football-mad son will make it to Barcelona

Words: Debrin Foxcroft

Tuesday 4 September 2018

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Nese Misa's life over the last few months has been about sausage sizzles, raffles, door knocking, sport, two-minute noodles and her boys.

Despite living in emergency housing in West Auckland, Misa is focused on opportunities.

In particular, the chance for her 15-year-old football-mad son, Dylan Hall, to train in Barcelona, Spain in September.

"I am not the kind of person to say, you know what son, we can't do it. I am not going to sit there and give up," Misa said.

"I will try my best to do what is good for him and hopefully one day he can turn round and say thanks mum."

Nese Misa is doing everything she can to get her son to a football training camp in Barcelona Spain, even though they are currently living in emergency housing.

Misa, Dylan and his younger brother Curtis have been living in a one-bedroom motel room for almost four months after struggling to find an affordable house.

Money was tight, but Misa was putting everything she could towards her son's football career.

DONATIONS: Dylan Hall - Anyone able to donate to assist with promising Central United youngster Dylan Hall's trip to Barcelona can do so through our club bank account.
Account Name: Central United FC
Bank: ANZ Bank
Number: 01 0129 0003712 00
REF: Dylan Hall - Donation pic.twitter.com/w9xcnmH1tg
— Central United FC (@CentralUtd_FC) August 27, 2018

Two-minute noodles have been a regular feature on the menu.

"I restrict what we spend. I say to the kids, you eat whatever comes," she said.

Dylan has been playing football since he was five-years-old.

His talent was clear early on and he has been part of several national training camps, Misa said.

Even his boots were given to him by his current club.

Misa said she was constantly fundraising to get her son over the line for Barcelona including raffles, sausage sizzles and selling food to family and friends.

She has managed to raise $2500 so far but $6000 was needed.

"I have done a little letter about him and I walk around local businesses. Just handing it out to get it out there."

Despite the stress, tears and rapidly approaching deadline, Misa was determined Dylan would be on a plane to play and train with the world's best.

"I want my boy to do something good," Misa said.

"He could be a troubled teenager but he's not. He does well at school and he is always, always trying to do his best. All I am trying to do is get him somewhere."

Misa said Dylan and the rest of the team would leave for this once-in-a-lifetime experience on September 28.

"I could sit here and say, you know what, don't worry son, don't worry about your talent," Misa said.

"Or I can go and try and do something to help him get there. It is stressful, but everything is my kids. They are all I've got."

Ends

This article was written by Debrin Foxcroft for the Stuff website and can be viewed in its original form here.