Tell me a bit about your background, both family and football?
I play footy for the Doveton FC and have been there since 2003 and played juniors at Doveton Districts JFC starting in 1995 until it folded due to the area getting older and kids going to play footy in the growth areas. My mum and dad have always been big supporters of my footy which is great for me and I have a brother that is 2 years older than me. It’s good just having them around for their support and being able to talk to all the time about anything I need to.
How were you introduced to the Indigenous Trainee Program?
Leon Egan who used to be in Aaron Clark’s role called me up about the position available because I had told him I was interested and to let me know if anything came up. Then just before Christmas I put in for the role and was lucky enough to find out I got the traineeship.
What does your traineeship involve?
There is a lot of office work but I’m normally out of the office a one or two days a week to run Auskick clinics in schools and that sort of thing. I’ve been involved with the Kickstart Program both in Halls Gap and on the Gold Coast. At the Stingrays we are partnered with the Hallam Football Academy so I’ve been involved with the Premier League school football also and a whole range of other things as well as getting a certificate 3 in sport & recreation at Chisholm Tafe. I now have a level 1 coaching accreditation and have helped my RDM with a couple of junior/youth coaching courses that he has run.
How has it helped you?
It’s already helped me learn so much about our culture from traditional dancing, language and the stolen generation. Mentoring young the indigenous boys in the Kickstart programs has helped me with building relationships, I’m a lot better at public speaking now and this will help a lot with my coaching also.
How has it helped the community that you are involved with?
I’ve been able to start up a new Auskick centre which I also coach. It’s at the Doveton FC which is one of the only clubs in our area to have celebrated and made an indigenous team of the last 50 years and the team was read out on their Hall of Fame night. We have 15 kids so far at the centre and it’s growing very quickly so hopefully this will help the club have a junior team once again. I have also organised a halftime game for Dreamtime at the G which local kids may not have had the chance to participate in if I wasn’t in the role.
How have you enjoyed your traineeship thus far?
It’s been fantastic getting out into the community and introducing the game to so many different people. It’s very rewarding knowing you’re making kids happy just by running a clinic or telling them they’ve done a good job. I love footy so this is the perfect job and I enjoy coming to work which I don’t think I could say about my old job.
What are your aims/goals for the future?
When the traineeship is finished I’d like to get a full-time job in football, most likely in the development side of things. Then if I do get a full-time job I’d like to buy my first house.
Last Modified on 22/05/2012 18:01