(03) 9399 9511
North Melbourne is the latest AFL club to join forces with the Trade Institute of Victoria (TIV).
Eight Kangaroo players have enrolled in TIV’s highly regarded Certificate III in Carpentry course, and will commence training officially next week at TIV Headquarters in Williamstown.
The group is well represented by experience and youth, with Jarrad Waite, Scott Thompson, Shaun Atley, Lachie Hansen, Corey Wagner, Kayne Turner, Brayden Preuss, and Sam Durdin all signing on with TIV.
North Melbourne joins Richmond and St. Kilda as the third AFL club to study Carpentry at the Trade Institute of Victoria.
TIV’s education and training model has been a resounding success since developing a flexible and innovative training regime specifically designed to cater for AFL clubs.
Not only is their Certificate III in Carpentry course considered one of the best in the business, TIV is also one of the very few registered training organisations whose Carpentry program is endorsed and subsidised by the Victorian State Government in 2017.
The awareness of the importance of life after football has increased exponentially among the AFL population over the last decade, in particular.
AFL clubs should be commended for the emphasis they place, and the support they provide, in ensuring their players are involved in educational training programs external to the football club.
Trade professions have long been considered one of the hardest areas to navigate a definitive pathway for AFL players to balance with the demands of their immediate playing careers – until TIV.
North Melbourne Player Welfare Manager, David Madigan believes the industry is heading in the right direction with respect to the off-field professional development of AFL players.
“The welfare and development of our players is something we certainly take very seriously at North Melbourne,” Madigan says.
“The lack of a clear, reputable and credible pathway when it comes to the Trade professions has been a real issue for AFL clubs for a long period of time,” he adds.
It is for this reason that TIV should be considered a pioneer in many respects for creating and implementing a streamlined training program providing professional athletes the opportunity to become trade qualified simultaneously throughout their playing careers.
“This group of players (at North Melbourne) has been looking for a organisation and program that will complement their football careers without encroaching on the demands and commitments expected of them as AFL players,” Madigan says.
“TIV has a proven track record with other AFL clubs already, and I know our boys are really excited about getting stuck into it next week.”
And we are excited about having them.
Author: Aaron Lord
