As a youngster, Isaac watched highlights of his cousin, Roger Luders as he kicked his way into the West Adelaide Football Club Hall of Fame.
“He was pretty famous in my eyes.
“Roger kicked more than 500 goals for the Bloods, and I always wanted to follow in his footsteps,” Isaac said.
However, a series of injuries including two torn ACLs and a dislocated shoulder dashed the 19-year-old’s dream of playing at the top level for the AFL or SANFL.
“I still love my footy, and I currently play Division 1 in ruck or full forward for Golden Grove in the Adelaide Football League – and we’re having a pretty good year this season too!” he said.
When Isaac finished high school last year, he instinctively knew University was not his career path of choice.
A few weeks later, he saw an ad pop up on Instagram for Master Builders SA and its Born 2 Build apprenticeship program and that’s when Isaac had his light bulb moment.
“I just knew right then that I’m going to be a licenced carpenter, so I applied straight away,” Isaac said. “My Pop was a carpenter, and my uncle was a stonemason, and I’ve always enjoyed making things and being hands on, so Born 2 Build was an obvious choice” he said.
Born 2 Build (B2B) is an initiative of Master Builders SA and the Malinauskas Government to actively seek out and speak to young South Australians about the benefits of a meaningful career pathway as a tradesperson.
One of the B2B field officers, and Isaac’s mentor Gavin Watson, said he has enjoyed taking the mature teenager under his wing.
“Isaac is a cracking lad with a very positive outlook on life.
“In the three months since starting his apprenticeship, he has already tackled a number of different tasks and at different construction sites and I’m confident he’ll just keep growing in the role,” he said.
Over the next four years, the team at MBA’s Group Training Organisation will support Isaac and help him kick his career goals.
“Our goal is to give every player in the Adelaide Footy League the opportunity to be successful and feel supported throughout their apprenticeship,” Master Builder SA CEO, Will Frogley said.
“Having enthusiastic, talented people like Isaac come through the ranks is just what South Australia needs to address the State’s current skills shortage,” Mr Frogley said.
We’re thankful that the State Government is such a big supporter of Born to Build’s partnership with the Adelaide Footy League – probably the most fertile recruitment ground for quality construction apprentices in the state.
It’s a sentiment echoed by Adelaide Footy League CEO, John Kernahan.
“Our purpose is to facilitate a football competition, but nowhere in the rule book does it say we can’t be more than that.“ Mr Kernahan said.
“The satisfaction we revel in when a player or a parent of a player reaches out if only to acknowledge the role the Adelaide Footy League and Master Builders SA have played in identifying a career for them to pursue can’t be overstated; Its real and it adds value to an already vibrant partnership for all,” Mr Kernahan said.
For more information or media interview opportunities, contact Vassil Malandris on vmalandris@mbasa.com.au or 0435 229 974