About the Book

  Liam is the captain of the West Hill Ravens, and the heart and soul of the team. He lives, breathes and sleeps footy. The only problem is that it doesn’t leave him much time for anything else.

  Now his schoolwork is suffering and his parents are on his back. He may even have to quit the team. And without their captain, the Ravens’ chances of making the finals look grim.

  Can Billy convince Liam that working with Ravi, the Ravens’ inexperienced reserve player, is the key to saving the team’s season?

  Contents

  Cover

  About the Book

  Title Page

  A Word from Billy

  Chapter 1: The Good News

  Chapter 2: The Bad News

  Chapter 3: Billy Has a Plan

  Chapter 4: The Mentors

  Chapter 5: The Battle of Homework Hill

  Chapter 6: Attack of the Wolves

  Chapter 7: The Ravens Strike Back

  Chapter 8: The Miss Hughes Blues

  Chapter 9: Mentoring the Mentors

  Chapter 10: A Brief History of the Ravens

  Chapter 11: A Day at The Park

  Chapter 12: Do or Die

  Chapter 13: Stand and Deliver

  Chapter 14: Stubborn Irish Hearts

  Chapter 15: The Ravens Sing

  Chapter 16: Grand Final Nerves

  Chapter 17: It All Comes Down to This

  Chapter 18: What Matters Most

  The Official West Hill Ravens Song

  The Team

  Player Profiles

  Billy’s Tips

  Also in the series

  Copyright Notice

  Loved the book?

  * * *

  Playing footy is one of my favourite things to do. Whether I’m at training, playing a match or just mucking around, I always look forward to it. Even as a professional footballer, though, I can’t play whenever I want. I have other commitments and, of course, a family.

  In Chip and Chase, Liam, the captain of the West Hill Ravens Under 11s, finds it hard to juggle footy and school. When his dad bans him from playing some of the team’s most important matches leading up to the grand final, Liam is devastated – and so is the team. With the help of his teammate Ravi, Liam learns how to tackle his problems head-on.

  Maintaining balance in your life is important, and spending time on other things can actually help you focus and improve your game. You might even stumble upon something else you love doing! If you’re having a hard time – whether it’s at football or off the field – ask a friend, teammate, coach or your parents for advice. Their perspective might reveal a helpful way to approach a problem.

  I hope you enjoy reading Chip and Chase and realise that everyone has the potential to improve and succeed at things they find difficult. It might seem like hard work at first, but in the end you may even find yourself having fun.

  Billy Slater

  * * *

  Liam started up his old but trusty desktop computer and waited. He had been waiting all day to check the Ravens website.

  It was Sunday afternoon. His older sister, Caitlyn, was in her room studying. She was always studying, when she wasn’t competing in karate or Irish dancing. His mum was in the kitchen baking scones. His mum was always baking. And his dad was washing his boat, Luck of the Irish. He was always washing his boat. It seemed to Liam that his dad spent more time washing his boat than he did fishing in it.

  Liam had only one thing on his mind. The thing that he had been thinking about since the Ravens had beaten the Macquarie Lions in their final game of the season.

  Who would the Ravens play in the finals?

  His question was answered a moment later when the familiar homepage of the West Hill Ravens Rugby League Club popped up on the screen.

  Congratulations to our Under 8s, 11s, 13s and 14s, who have made it through to the finals!

  Liam’s heart leapt. We made it!

  He had been pretty sure they would, based on their last game, but the last few rounds hadn’t been their most consistent. They would have to play better for a chance to win through to the grand final. Liam carefully examined the ladder and the information for the finals.

  The Ravens were set to play the Wolves at home. It wasn’t going to be an easy game, given their track record. The Ravens’ first game against the Wolves had been a draw, and the Wolves had won in the second.

  If the Ravens did manage to defeat the Wolves, they would take on either the Bears or the Hawks, depending on who lost the second preliminary final. Liam guessed the Hawks would win their final, which meant the Ravens would play the Bears in the semi. That would mean meeting the Kingsville Destroyers in the grand final – if the Ravens made it that far.

  Don’t get too excited, Liam told himself. We have to beat the Wolves first.

  But this was good news. Very good news. He couldn’t wait to see the rest of the team and Coach Steve at training. Billy Slater, their team mentor, might even be there.

  Liam grabbed his footy and headed into the backyard. He spent hours there, honing his passing skills, practising his grubbers and perfecting his game. If he wasn’t in the backyard, he could be found in the park across the road, kicking goals over the tops of the soccer posts.

  Liam’s dad would have preferred his son to play soccer. It was the game he had been raised on as a kid in Ireland.

  But nothing excited Liam the way league did. As a little kid, he had been obsessed with knowing every player in every team and he hated missing a single game on TV, no matter who was playing. Since joining the Ravens three years ago, his obsession with football had only grown.

  Today, Liam was working on his tackling. He ran and threw himself at his father’s old boxing bag. He had just landed a thumping tackle when a familiar voice interrupted his training.

  ‘Liam, have you done your homework?’

  Liam looked up to find the shadow of his father hovering over him. It felt like a large black hole had suddenly appeared in the sky above him. ‘Umm …’

  ‘“Um” meaning no?’

  ‘Almost,’ said Liam. It wasn’t a complete lie. He had almost attempted some research for his history presentation that was due tomorrow … while he was he was waiting for the Ravens’ results to load.

  ‘Come on, Liam,’ said his dad. ‘We’ve talked about this. You know the consequences if your marks don’t improve.’

  Liam knew the consequences his dad was talking about and he also knew his dad was serious, because his eyebrows were scrunched together in his ‘I’m very serious’ face. Liam just wished he had known how serious.

  ‘I’m sorry, son, but my mind’s made up.’

  Liam sat at the kitchen table in front of his mother and father, his eyes wide in terror and his mouth hanging open like the drawbridge of a medieval castle. ‘But … but …’ This can’t be happening, thought Liam. Not now!

  The black hole that had been hanging over his head all year, threatening to swallow him up, was finally here. And he had no one to blame but himself. He thought back to that morning at school when his fifth-grade teacher began calling on students to present their research on a piece of local history.

  Why didn’t I just do it? Liam had thought as the other students in his class began their presentations. Anything would have been better than nothing.

  He watched as Stephanie Quang, the star pupil in the class, presented her talk on the local Aboriginal people of the area. Her PowerPoint presentation was full of amazing sound effects and cool animation.

  Every kid in Liam’s class had something interesting to present. Even Corey Wilson, the Ravens sometimes-troublesome outside centre, had prepared a talk. Corey had spoken about the history of West Hill Skate Park. It wasn’t a very long talk – the park had only been built last year, but at least he’d had something.

  Liam had nothing, and the moment he had been dreading was upon him. He could feel the black hole opening up around him as Miss Hughes slowly turned his way.

  ‘Liam, are you ready?’ she asked.

  Liam could tell from the tone in her voice that she knew what he was going to say. What else could he say? When it came to doing his homework, Liam was very consistent. ‘I … I didn’t do it, miss.’

  Corey winced and a few of the other kids gasped. Miss Hughes just frowned and nodded her head. ‘That’s disappointing,’ she said, before moving on to the next person.

  ‘Wow, I thought you were going to cop it!’ whispered Nathan, Liam’s desk buddy.

  ‘I think I am,’ Liam muttered under his breath, remembering Miss Hughes’ warning. If he didn’t do his homework three times this term, she was going to call his father.

  And Liam’s father had given his own warning. His half-yearly report card had been so terrible that his dad had threatened there would be …

  ‘No more football, Liam. That’s final,’ said Mr McGill.

  Liam snapped back to reality. ‘But what about the finals?’ he pleaded. ‘If I don’t play, we have no chance!’

  ‘No buts, Liam!’ said his father. ‘You knew the consequences if your marks didn’t improve. Now we find out that you’re still not doing your homework. Not only that, but you lied to me about doing it just yesterday! This can’t go on. No football for you – effective immediately.’

  ‘Mum?’ Liam looked to his mother for any sign of support. But she just frowned, a little like Miss Hughes had that morning.

  ‘I’m sorry, Liam, but your dad’s right. Enough’s enough. School has to come first.’



  Hot tears suddenly appeared in Liam’s eyes like some cruel magic trick. He couldn’t help it. This was easily the worst day of his life. Then another terrible thought struck him.

  What am I going to tell the team?

  ‘Magic,’ said Coach Steve. ‘That’s the only way to describe how this team played last week. Thanks to each and every one of you, we are into the finals. And if we play like that again next weekend, I have no doubt we can go all the way!’

  As Liam sat there, looking around at his teammates, it occurred to him that he had been wrong. Yesterday wasn’t the worst day of his life – today was. He was about to tell Coach Steve and Billy Slater and the whole team that he couldn’t play on Saturday. That he couldn’t play football ever again.

  Liam slowly raised his hand. ‘Um, Coach, I need to say something …’

  Coach Steve nodded. ‘Absolutely, Liam. Okay, everyone, listen up! Your captain is going to tell us exactly how we can beat the Wolves on Saturday.’

  All the boys looked at Liam in anticipation. Even Billy leaned in with interest. Liam’s heart sank. This was going to be harder than he’d thought. ‘Well, um … the thing is, I’ve got some bad news.’

  Coach Steve and Billy exchanged a glance.

  Liam took a breath and dropped the bomb. ‘I can’t play on Saturday.’

  The team exploded in gasps of shock.

  ‘Why not?’ asked Azza.

  ‘What happened?’ asked Poppa.

  ‘Are you sick?’ asked Josh.

  ‘Are you injured?’ asked Blake.

  ‘Are you in trouble with the law?’ asked Tai.

  The whole team fell silent and stared blankly at Tai.

  ‘Well, he could be,’ Tai said defensively. ‘Maybe he joined a bikie gang!’

  ‘That’s enough questions,’ said Coach Steve. ‘Let’s give Liam a chance to explain what the problem is.’

  All the boys turned to Liam for an answer.

  Liam could feel his eyes twitching. No tears, no tears, he told himself. Just get it over with. ‘I can’t play football anymore because I’m failing at school and my dad has banned me from playing ever again.’

  For almost a minute, no one said a thing. The only sound was a few early crickets chirping away before nightfall.

  Corey was the first to speak. He was never shy to speak his mind, but even he looked shaken by the news. ‘What about the final? We need you.’

  ‘Dad won’t let me play any games. Not even the final,’ said Liam. Then the tears did come. He couldn’t stop them and now he didn’t care. ‘I’m sorry I let you all down. I’ve got to go. My dad’s waiting.’

  ‘Let me come and talk to him. Maybe I can make a difference,’ said Coach Steve.

  ‘It won’t do any good. He said nothing would change his mind.’

  Coach shrugged. ‘Can’t hurt to try.’

  ‘Guess you’ll be playing a full game this weekend, Ravi,’ said Josh, patting the weedy Ravens reserve on the shoulder.

  Ravi Rangarajan smiled nervously. He didn’t look thrilled at the idea of playing his first full game in a sudden-death quarterfinal.

  Billy snapped his fingers with excitement. ‘Hang on, Liam. What if you got some help with your schoolwork?’

  Corey snorted. ‘Good luck finding him a tutor. Liam’s worse at school than me!’

  ‘We just need to find someone we know who is good at school,’ said Coach Steve.

  Everyone in the team turned and looked at Ravi.

  The team watched on anxiously as Billy and Coach Steve spoke to Liam’s dad.

  ‘How do you think it’s going?’ asked Azza.

  ‘From the looks of things, not the best,’ said Blake.

  Ravi had to agree. Coach Steve and Billy were talking and nodding and even smiling once in a while, but Mr McGill had his arms crossed and a hard, stony look was cemented on his face. Liam looked absolutely miserable.

  Finally, after almost ten minutes, Coach Steve and Billy returned with a less gloomy-looking Liam.

  ‘How did it go?’ asked Blake.

  ‘Yeah, can Liam play?’ asked Azza.

  ‘Is he going to have to serve time in the big house?’ asked Tai.

  The whole team stared at him once more.

  Tai giggled. ‘Oh, that’s right. He’s not in trouble with the cops. My bad.’

  ‘Well,’ said Coach Steve, ‘it didn’t go as well as we’d hoped.’

  ‘I’m still not allowed to play in Saturday’s final,’ said Liam, ‘but Dad agreed that I can help the team prepare for the game.’

  ‘He also agreed to let Ravi tutor Liam for the next few weeks,’ added Billy.

  ‘And if we make it to the grand final? Can you play then?’ Corey asked hopefully.

  Liam frowned. ‘Probably not. I told you my dad was stubborn.’

  ‘But he did say that he’d consider it if Liam can prove he is doing better at school,’ said Coach Steve. ‘In the meantime, you’ll be taking Liam’s place on the field, Ravi. How do you feel about that?’

  Ravi shrugged. ‘Okay, I guess. But I don’t know much about being halfback.’

  ‘Well, I was thinking Blake would play halfback,’ said Coach. ‘Josh can move to centre and you could play on Josh’s wing. Everyone all right with that?’

  Blake and Josh nodded. Then everyone looked at Corey, expecting some kind of complaint.

  ‘What?’ said Corey. ‘I don’t care. I’m perfectly happy with playing centre!’

  ‘Great,’ said Coach Steve. ‘Maybe we can actually train now. I mean, it’s not like we’ve got an important game this weekend.’

  ‘But, Coach, we have the quarterfinal this weekend,’ said Tai. ‘Isn’t that a little bit important?’

  ‘Of course it is. I was just being …’

  But before Coach could finish his sentence, Tai burst out laughing.

  ‘Just get out on that field, ya goose!’ yelled Coach Steve, a small grin on his face.

  After a training session that included far too many push-ups, squats and burpees for Ravi’s liking, Billy took Ravi and Liam aside.

  ‘The two of you have really got your work cut out for you over the next few days,’ said Billy.

  ‘You mean with Ravi tutoring me?’ asked Liam.

  ‘I mean with you both helping each other,’ said Billy. ‘While you’re out of the team, Ravi is going to need all the coaching he can get to be ready for Saturday’s game. And if the team gets through to the semifinal, he’ll need even more help.’

  Now Ravi looked confused. ‘I thought I was supposed to be helping Liam with his schoolwork?’

  ‘You are. But I think Liam needs to help you with your footy skills, too,’ said Billy. ‘You can mentor each other.’

  ‘So we’ll be the mentors?’ quizzed Ravi.

  ‘The mentors? Sounds like an eighties band my dad would listen to,’ said Liam.

  Billy laughed. ‘Well, you don’t have to sing any songs. All you need to do is give each other advice in the areas you need help. How does that sound?’ asked Billy, his eyes bright in the lights of the oval.

  ‘Sure, how hard can that be?’ said Liam.

  Ravi smiled and nodded while, inside, his heart raced. In just four days he would be playing his first full game of football. While Ravi knew every Ravens stat of the season, he also knew the chances of making it through a full game with his limited footy skills were very slim.

  He wondered how much Liam could help him in four days.

  DING DONG!

  Ravi peered through the stained glass panel in the front door. It was the third time he’d pushed the doorbell. He turned and looked back at his mum, who was sitting in their car at the bottom of the McGills’ driveway. She made a quick doorbell-pressing motion with her hand.

 

1 2 3 4 5