For Australians abroad, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada is a great destination. The city itself is 45 minutes from Toronto (Ontario's Captial City) and from one of the world’s great wonders, Niagara Falls. Large cities like New York, Washington, Detroit, Chicago, Montreal and Ottawa are easily reached within a half a day’s drive. The city offers all the amenities of big city living without the grey landscape of Toronto. The city has a diverse nightlife in the historic Hess Village and offers a great escape for the nature lover being situated around the Niagara Escarpment. Hamilton is commonly referred to as a “lunch pail” town offering many work opportunities and potential employment for the summer months. The Wildcats are a tight knit group of Australians and Canadians; the social aspect of the club is a priority and welcomes you as part of the extended family. Not only would you get to have a great time playing some footy in a foreign country, you can get the opportunity to represent your country in the annual "Aussie All-stars v Team Canada" game once a year; which many of our current Australian Wildcat players have had the chance to do (Brett Aiken, Tim Wilson, Michael Visser, Justin Johns, Daniel Crouch, Darren Stepien & Luke Lombardini).
The Wildcats themselves have a large number of permanent Aussies that serve a diverse number of industries, allowing for many potential work opportunities in diverse fields. Also, established ex-patriots can offer gainful insight on establishing the vitals of Ontario Health coverage, driver’s licenses and other necessities. Hamilton is a great place to spend the summer months working and being a Wildcat with a keen eye set on the western provinces for the world renowned ski & snowboard season come the winter months.
The great thing about being a young Australian travelling the world is that it is very easy, and affordable, for you to live and work in Canada. For more information with regards to getting a visa to come and enjoy a summer with the Wildcats. Here are a couple of websites with more information: Moving2Canada.com and Canada Immigration. We've also taken the liberty of adding a few helpful links below for all interested Australians thinking of traveling through Canada and looking for a place to work, rest their head, meet some new mates and have a kick of the footy as well. Hope this helps!!!
Applying from Australia:
2 year Work Holiday Visa
Go here and apply: Australia—Working Holiday.
Make sure you read the criteria page first so you have all the information, documents required..
You can apply for the visa up until the age of 31.
Once they send it to you all you have to do is show it at the border (ie airport) and then they will process it on the spot... easy... no sponsor or anything like that... you may require a bank statement showing that you have more than $3000 in your bank account, though it rarely get asked for...
Work:
When it comes to work there's only so much the team can do... Actually finding a job will be up to you but i'm sure everyone will help out as much as possible... its pretty easy to get a job here if your not a professional (bar tending, waiter, retail) just to name a few... and there are many temp agencies that can help as well... If your a professional (lawyer, accountant) then finding a job is just as simple as long as you have experience... as stated earlier, the club will help out as much as possible...
Sites:
Workopolis Professional Jobs
http://hamilton.en.craigslist.ca/jjj/ other Jobs
Accomadation:
Finding an apartment is probably the easiest thing to do in Canada... there's plenty of places in downtwon Hamilton or the surrounding subburbs for rent; especially with McMaster University so close, there's always very affordable housing or shared accommodations available!!! You can get furnished or unfurnished, bedrooms or apartments... There is even a chance to room with established players on the team or new players such as yourself.
Sites:
http://hamilton.en.craigslist.ca/apa/ Best site for looking for places
Mobile/Cell Phone:
Prepaid 20-80, Purchase Phone, No contract, Not so good rates
Monthy Plan: 15-80 Free Phone, Month by Month, 3 yr Contract, Decent Rates, (If you go this route you'll need a credit rating here, which means first you need a credit card here, which is a whole other story... But i can help with that)
Sites:
Rogers Mobile
Fido Mobile
Bank Account:
There are many banks here but the best for a new resident is a Presidents Choice Account. No fees, online bank account... best here... Site: Presidents Choice Financial
Credit Cards:
There is only one credit card you will be elidgable to get here in Canada and that is a Capital One Mastercard. You can apply for it online. Site: Capital One Canada
For any further questions, comments and/or inquiries; please don't hesitate to contact Club President (and ex-pat) Matthew McDowall: president@hamiltonwildcatsafc.com or Vice President Nick Liang: exec@wildcatsafc.com
C'arn the WILDCATS!!!
