Cyril Rioli, Robbie Campbell and Brent Renouf were on hand to chat to the students about their journey from High School to becoming an AFL Player. The players shared details on their average week and gave insight to the dedication required to play football at the highest level.
Hawthorn Ruckman Robbie Campbell spoke with the group about how he found the transition to football difficult in the beginning, "In the first couple of years I wasn’t really enjoying it. I loved being a footballer and I loved training and all that but just didn’t like the pressures of being a structured athlete.
"It’s funny the way things happen because now the thing I probably love about football most is its structure and professionalism. Now I’m really excited about playing each week which is something I think I was missing before.”
Berry Street is the largest independent child welfare organisation in Victoria. Many of the kids have grown up in families where violence, chronic neglect, substance abuse, mental illness and poverty have prevented them from having a good childhood.
Berry Street believes that all children have the right to the highest quality education and training, and that education is essential for the restoration of hope and trust to the lives of vulnerable children and young people.
The Students who attended the outing to Waverley are involved with The Shed in Morwell, which provides education for young people unable to sustain enrolment in mainstream education for a variety of reasons. Through individualised timetables and education programs, young people have the opportunity to learn life skills, literacy, numeracy and 'hands on' programs.
Brent Renouf, Robbie Campbell, and Cyril Rioli converse with the Berry Street visitors.
To find out more about the Berry Street Program visit www.berrystreet.org.au
