AFLW twin superstars take on traineeships
If playing AFLW together on the same team wasn’t enough, identical twins Sarah and Jessica Hosking are also kick-starting their careers through the AFL SportsReady program.
Sarah, 20, was selected at pick 19 for Carlton Football Club in the 2016 first ever AFL Women’s league draft. Her sister Jessica followed at pick 79 for the same club.
‘It was an awesome feeling when both our names were called out. We absolutely love playing footy together, we love being on the same team, it was a blessing for both of us,’ said Sarah.
‘I never expected to be playing football. Jess and I only ever played netball at a high level but ever since we were young we were always kicking the footy in the paddock at our place in Mornington,’ she added.
The talented twins not only have a flair for sports, they have always been committed to their career goals and are both passionate about making it to the top in the sporting industry.
Sarah completed her traineeship in 2016 with Toorak College as PE assistant and at the same time studied a Certificate III in Sport and Recreation. Her sister signed up this year and is currently completing her PE traineeship at Mentone Girls Grammar while studying the same qualification as her sister.
‘I took on a traineeship because I was in two minds about what I wanted to do. The traineeship really appealed to me because it offered a qualification plus work experience,’ explained Sarah.
‘It was an awesome year, I loved Toorak College, everyone was amazing there. I coached two or three teams and my supervisors always made sure I was involved in all the things that interested me which allowed me to continuously grow and learn in the areas I was passionate about.’
Through her traineeship experience, Sarah learnt a range of skills that she still benefits from today.
‘I really valued the fact that my traineeship was so hands on, I was interacting with people every day, I was learning on the job skills and because it was a practical experience I was absorbing the information more.’
After her traineeship Sarah gained full-time employment at Girls Sports Victoria as their Business Administration Assistant. She also works as a lifeguard while studying a Bachelor of Business at Victoria University and training for her professional football career.
‘There is so much to benefit from by doing a traineeship, that’s why Jess took on one too because it offers you another a career pathway option rather than go straight to university. It’s flexible, it’s practical and the opportunities that come from it are endless.’
The AFL SportsReady team will be proudly supporting both girls throughout their playing careers and beyond.
To find out more about the diverse range of rewarding careers available through vocational education and training, and watch the real skills for real careers video, visit www.myskills.gov.au
#realskillsforrealcareers
DATE: 5th of April 2018
AUTHOR: Marissa Pagliarello
IMAGE: Sarah and Jessica Hosking, photo credit to Carlton Media
