Players get on with job under program

JUGGLING sporting, education and employment ambitions creates challenges and associated pressures for semiprofessional athletes

The Glenorchy District Football Club is taking these challenges head-on to provide support and opportunities to players and officials.

Opportunities are being developed within the building industry through collaboration between the club and recruitment firms, such as the Tasmanian Building Group Apprenticeship Scheme (TasBGAS), who then find host employers for apprentices.

Glenorchy president John McCann is proud of the approach the club has taken to welfare over the past three to four years.

“This is a very demanding time in the lives of players while dedicating themselves to sport six days a week for 10 months a year,” McCann said.

“Many are still in the hunt to be drafted [to an AFL club], but they also need to be thinking about life after football and these sort of partnerships can give them a chance to do both.”

TasBGAS chief executive David Fagan is also passionate about the partnership.

“It’s great to work with the local community to provide a clear pathway for young people to play football and do an apprenticeship so they have a trade behind them,” Fagan said.

One player who has benefited is ruckman Cameron Duffy, who joined the club at the start of the 2015 season after relocating from Cairns.

Duffy is a year from finishing his electrical apprenticeship via TasBGAS and has emerged as one of the state’s premier ruckmen, highlighted by his selection in the Tasmanian State League team that took on the NEAFL this year.

He is adamant his sparkling form on the football field has been enhanced via the support he has received off it.

“If I didn’t have the work and reliable income it would be a lot more stressful,” he said.

Another avenue of support has been made available via the club’s welfare manager, Don McCrea, who has been involved with the Magpies for two years as a point of contact for players and officials.

“Post-football not all players can be coaches or be able to retire on their earnings. It is important to engage with nonfootball vocation to help build relationships and to find motivation in things they may never have considered before,” McCrea said.

Duffy, Matthew Joseph (joinery), Aaron Brennan (electrical) and Glenorchy women’s player Zabreena Manjerovic (carpentry) have all been engaged with the TasBGAS scheme.

Duffy and Joseph will play crucial roles in this weekend’s do-or-die clash against Launceston at Blundstone Arena.

“The whole club has prepared really well and we are excited for the challenge ahead,” Duffy declared. Anthony Osborn is a UTAS journalism student.