Written by Damon Guy.
I chose to study at the Carlton College of Sport because I have been in love with sport ever since I can remember. More specifically, I have always had a passion for all things AFL (and even more so an obsession with the Blues), that consumes a great portion of my life. At the stage of applying, I was unsettled in my career and uncertain about my direction in life. I saw this as an opportunity to finally mix my passions with my career and fulfil my boyhood dream (just not as an elite athlete) of having a career in the elite sporting industry.
The best part about studying at CCoS is definitely the friends that you meet and the connections you make along the way. It’s fair to say that I’ve made more lifelong friends over the past year than I would have ever imagined possible. Not only do they fuel my passions and motivate me everyday, but they also provide constant laughs and amusing interactions that I won’t be forgetting any time soon. These relationships definitely helped me get through the tough periods that all students face and I would have never been able to achieve so much without them. You also get to meet some pretty influential people who you can absorb a wealth of knowledge from. Getting to hear from the likes of Chris Judd at guest lectures was definitely a highlight from my time at the college.’
The best placement experience I was involved in was being able to shadow the AFL coaches during a men’s training session. It was an unbelievable feeling being involved in the action and being able to rub shoulders with so many highly regarded individuals. At one stage, I was asked to kick the footy’s back to the boys after they had taken their shots for goal. Never have I ever been so nervous to hit a target in my life as I kicked the footy back and forth with Sam Walsh. My skills weren’t quite up to standard that day, and I’d be lying if I said he was impressed with my kicking. Despite my inaccuracy with the ball that day, the experience I gained is something that I will cherish for a lifetime. Sharing the hallowed turf on IKON Park with some of my childhood heroes was something I never thought was possible, it is an opportunity that I am extremely grateful for.
After I graduate, I plan on gaining employment at an AFL club in an administrative capacity. I am also working on my craft as a coach and am planning on being involved in coaching at a community level once local football returns.
My dream job in sport is to be a list or recruiting manager in the AFL. I have been lucky enough to do some placement in this space which sparked my desire to pursue this as a career goal. In the future, I plan to continue volunteering in this area wherever possible!