Tasmanian Students Recognised for Excellence

A young up and coming leader in the sport and recreation field is this year’s AFL SportsReady Trainee of the Year, announced at a special graduation ceremony in Hobart.

AFL SportsReady Tasmanian State Manager Andrew Moore said 18 year old Caitlin Fogarty had excelled in her school-based traineeship and had been rewarded with an offer of full-time employment and further studies in the sport and recreation field.

“Caitlin’s work at Glenorchy Primary School, while completing a Certificate II and then a Certificate III in Sport and Recreation, was exemplary which is why the school was eager to offer her full time work and further studies,” Mr Moore said.

“Caitlin is now completing a Certificate IV in Sport and Recreation and has a bright future in the field ahead of her.”

The Tasmanian graduates, including five young Aboriginal trainees, completed studies in areas across sport and recreation, business, community services and horticulture, while undergoing traineeships at sporting organisations, schools and in the community and finance sectors.

“Choosing our award winners is never easy and we had a high calibre group work with AFL SportsReady across the state in 2012,” Mr Moore said. “However, Caitlin and Makaila’s maturity, enthusiasm and strong leadership skills made them standout trainees.”

Mr Moore said Caitlin, who undertook a school-based traineeship, had shown maturity and talent throughout her studies.

“Testament to the value that the school placed on Caitlin’s work was the offer at the end of 2012 of full time work to complete a Certificate IV traineeship,” Mr Moore said.

“Her great start to her career has been rewarded with not only the AFL SportsReady award, but the prospect of further study and work.”

“AFL SportsReady is passionate about helping young people create a rewarding career in sport, recreation, business and other industries and we are proud of the high number of our trainees who go on to further study or work in their chosen fields.”

The graduation dinner, held at Hobart’s Observatory Hotel Waterfront on Friday night, also awarded honours to a number of other AFL SportsReady trainee graduates, including Makaila Higham, who received the Business and Employment School Based Trainee of the Year award.

Mr Moore said Makaila also completed a Certificate II and III in Sport and Recreation, undertaking her school-based traineeship with Windermere Primary School.

“Makaila excelled in her role and showed exceptional maturity and flexibility, balancing her studies with travel from her home at South Arm to Windermere Primary School, which involved a round trip of 100km two days a week,” he said.

Also awarded at the graduation was the HostPLUS Rising Star honour, which went to Allan Matcham, who completed his Certificate IV in Community Services before moving onto a Diploma of Management while undertaking a traineeship with the Bridgewater PCYC.

“Allan has now almost finished his Diploma studies and is looking forward to the next stage of his career, which we have no doubt will bring him plenty of success,” Mr Moore said.

“As an adult trainee, he has managed to balance his work and studies with looking after his four-year-old daughter, his junior football coaching and his own playing commitments.”

“He is a great example of determination and perseverance and we wish him all the best.”

AFL SportsReady CEO James Montgomery said the not-for-profit company was proud to work in partnership with sporting organisations, clubs and other businesses across the state to ensure all graduates had the best chance at success beyond the sporting field.

“The completion of their studies, whether it be at Certificate or Diploma level, along with the invaluable experience of a traineeship, will provide these students with a strong foundation for their future careers,” Mr Montgomery said.

“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.”

“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.”

 

DATE: Friday 12 April, 2013
IMAGE: James Montgomery, AFL SportsReady CEO and Caitlin Fogarty, Trainee of the Year

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