Type1 Superstar ✨Sebastian✨

Sebastian is an incredibly active 8 year old sports-mad kid who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) at the age of 6. Out of the blue, with no family history, he now requires multiple daily manual insulin injections and careful continuous blood glucose monitoring.

He has always had a passion for football and began playing at the age of 5 for the Kanwal Warnervale Rovers Football Clubon the Central Coast of NSW. This year he is playing for the Kanwal U9A team and his favourite position is central midfield. He loves to attack, defend and be on the ball as much as he can.

He has participated in a number of local junior football development programs hosted by Central Coast United & Central Coast Mariners and recently took part in the Barcelona Football Academy training camp in Newcastle as part of their tour of Australia & New Zealand. After 5 days of dedicated training to learn the Barcelona style of football, Sebastian was selected as the top player in his age group for football skills and upholding FC Barcelona values. He was awarded the Barcelona Medal by the coaches / technical directors and was selected via Letter of Invitation to participate in the prestigious Barça Academy Clinic 2025 in Spain. He did all of this whilst managing high and low blood sugars during the training and games throughout the week which is a testament to his dedication to be his best.

Type 1 is a frustrating disease: sometimes exercise sends his blood sugar crashing, and sometimes adrenaline causes blood sugar spikes. Before, during, and after any exercise Sebastian has to consider his levels and plan accordingly. Often the plan doesn’t work and Sebastian has to have fast acting glucose or has a nosebleed from high blood sugar. Pump technology and multiple monitors have not been compatible with Sebastian, for reasons unknown. His Type 1 management has not been easy, but he doesn’t let it affect his determination to give everything his all and leave nothing behind. Strength and resilience are required, and he has it in spades.

The Barcelona experience will give Sebastian the opportunity to learn from the best coaches in Barcelona and utilise the world class facilities to continue to learn their footballingphilosophy.

Sebastian is so excited to be part of the Barcelona system that has featured some his favourite players like Messi, Iniesta, Xavi & Lamine Yamal. He is also inspired by the Spanish footballer Nacho Fernandez who reached the highest level of world football after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes himself at the age of 12. Type 1 diabetes didn’t stop himfrom achieving his dreams, and nothing will stop Sebastian from travelling to Spain and giving it his all to make the most of this incredible opportunity!