The WACFL is entering into an exciting partnership with Directions Workforce Solutions in a bid to attract city based footballers to country areas to take up Appreticeships and Traineeships as well as playing football. 

The idea came about from Directions CEO Ian Eardley who was aware of a large number of city based footballers regularly travelling to the country to play football each weekend, "We thought it made sense if a country community channelled the energy and money they used to pay players into an Apprentiship or Traineeship, it would be a better outcome for all involved.  Not only would the team get a footballer, but the community would get another member or family to intergrate into country life which would have a far greater impact."

WACFL General Manager Joe Georgiades was supportive of the concept and spent time living in the country himself in 2006 for employment "I think for a lot of city based footballers there may be some fear with relocating to the country, but from my experience, many of those fears vanish within the first week or two of moving to the country - especially if there is a footy team there to support you.  There are also a lot of advantages in living in the country so I'd encourage anyone looking to begin a career to strongly consider this program"

Directions is seeking expressions of interest from young people and ‘mature age’ people (21 years and over) who would like to work, play, and live in the beautiful WA Wheatbelt region and will be supported by their Country Club and community.

Not only will you get to play football, you will be earning and training towards a nationally recognised qualification via an apprenticeship or traineeship.

"The ideal situation would be if a player completed an Apprentiship or Traineeship and then begun their own business in the country town.  Completing an appreticeship is a great achievement and helps set a young kid up whether they stay in the country or return to the city and either way, I'm confident they will meet some great people throughout the Wheat Belt and at their country football club" Georgiades said.  

Register your interest via the Directions website at: https://directionswa.com.au/job-seekers/register-trainee-apprentice/ and upload a copy of your resumé or CV, including your football playing experience.