Being drafted to an AFL club is an exciting prospect for any teenager. For local hero Callan Ward, coming to the Western Bulldogs was important for not just his football development, but for his education as well.
How important has it been being able to stay at the same school since being drafted by the Club?
When you go through the draft process I guess you never really know where you are going to end up until you actually hear your name read out. I’ve been at Williamstown High School since the start of Year 7 so to be able to finish my education there is pretty important. I’ve built up lots of good relationships and have good friends there. I know the teachers and the school and that makes me feel more comfortable trying to balance both my school and football commitments.
What subjects are you studying?
This year I am doing four subjects; Health and Human Development, Further Maths, English and a VET (Vocational Education and Training) course in Fitness. Last year I completed an Outdoor Education unit which also counts towards my overall result.
With school and football commitments it must be difficult trying to manage your workload. Can you give us an idea of what a normal week is for you?
I’ve made the decision that school comes before football unless there is a game that I am playing in. Every week is slightly different because the training schedule might change a bit.
My easiest day is Monday. I have a school class at 2.15pm for 45-minutes and that’s it. Generally before that I will be at training in the morning, where I’ll complete a weights session and have any meetings before I head to school for the afternoon. After that I would head home and do any home work that needs to be done.
My hardest day is always Tuesday. I’m up early and at an 8am weights session with Cameron Falloon or Luke Meehan. After that I will head to school where I’ve got a full day of classes up until 3pm. Then I head home for a quick bite to eat before going to Williamstown training with other younger Bulldogs players. I’m there by 5pm and leave at around 7.30pm before I head home and do more homework.
And what’s the biggest challenge you have found so far?
Definitely trying to juggle the commitment between both. I have school five days a week and there are at least six football sessions I will attend in and around my school hours. But I think so far I’m finding a good balance between both.
When I’m at training I just think about training and what I’ve got to do at each session to try and improve. At school it’s pretty similar, I go there to learn and improve too but I can also take my mind of training because it’s a totally different thing. I think if I was just doing football, it would always be football, football, football and that would be quite a change in lifestyle after being a student for such a long time.
The school had parent-teacher interview night this week and I think it went ok! I need to keep working hard at my Maths and English subjects, so that is something I will have to keep working on throughout the school year.
How supportive have family, friends, team mates and coaches been since you came to the Bulldogs?
I’ve been really lucky being drafted to the Western Bulldogs because it’s meant I haven’t had to change my lifestyle a great deal. Being so close to training and school works well, often one of my mates or family members will give me a lift between the two because I am still on my L plates.
The club has been very good and Brad Gotch is always making sure I have got my school work under control while at the same time trying to develop me as a player.
Finally, how do you relax when you get the time?
I like to catch up with my friends and family. Sometimes they give me a bit of stick because I get to the end of the week and I’m a too tired to catch up with them! They understand though and that’s why I value their support so much.
