Sports leaders of tomorrow

A total of 32 trainees graduated at the special ceremony held at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday March 20, including AFL Sportsready HOSTPLUS Trainees of the Year Paula Feagaiga and Jarrod Venes.

The organisation connects willing young school-leavers with employers in the sports industry, with the aim of achieving recognised and practical qualifications.

The SportsReady program has expanded significantly since its creation in 1994 by current GWS GIANTS coach Kevin Sheedy, Federal Government minister Simon Crean and current AFL Sportsready Chairman, and former Essendon CEO, Peter Jackson.

The organisation now manages over 700 trainees nationally.

AFL SportsReady NSW State Manager Luke Pellegrini was extremely happy with the performance of the trainees in the program.

“The graduation ceremony is a fantastic way to recognise the achievements of these graduates who have all worked hard to achieve success in their chosen areas, and we wish them all the best for their future endeavours,” said Pellegrini.

“As a national not-for-profit company we are driven to give all our trainees and students the best kick start to their career possible, which is why at AFL SportsReady you can expect real education, real jobs and real careers.”

Participants are placed in 12 month traineeships, working full-time at sporting organisations including AFL NSW/ACT, GWS GIANTS, Special Olympics Australia and AMF Bowling.

There are also over 200 Indigenous Australians participating in the AFL Sportsready Indigenous Employment Program.

“There are so many people that want to work in sport but don’t know how to go about it,” said Pellegrini.

“We want to make it accessible for every student who finishes school and has a passion for the industry.

“All we really judge on is enthusiasm and a passion to learn, so if you’ve got a ‘can do’ attitude and you want to work hard, that’s how you’ll get a traineeship with us and that’s what will make you succeed at a sport organisation.”

AFL NSW/ACT CEO Tom Harley is a notable graduate of AFL SportsReady’s player pathway, as well as former Essendon player-turned AFL NSW/ACT Talent & Coaching Manager Mark McVeigh.

Pellegrini was quick to stress that program is open to willing participants with an interest in all sports.

“Here in NSW people think you have to be an AFL player or a big AFL fan for us to help them out and that’s just not correct,” he said.

“Our traineeships are open to all school leavers, particularly if they’re looking to get their foot in the door of the sport and recreation industry.”

You can get involved in AFL SportsReady by visiting their website. The organisation also advertises roles at sportspeople.com.au