From Uncertain School Leaver to AFL SportsReady’s 2026 Trainee of the Year

Lachlan King from St Mary’s College Seymour has been named AFL SportsReady’s 2026 Trainee of the Year, recognising his outstanding growth, contribution and impact throughout his traineeship.

From an uncertain school leaver to award-winning trainee, his journey highlights what can happen when young people are given the right support, opportunity and space to grow into their potential.

The award caps off a life-changing journey – from finishing Year 12 unsure of what came next, to now having a clear pathway into teaching and the confidence to back himself.

“I’m very honoured and I’m actually a bit lost for words to be honest, which for me is very rare.”

After school, Lachlan was in the same boat as a lot of students – not totally sure what direction to take. Teaching was something he’d always thought about but he hadn’t locked anything in. That’s when he came across an AFL SportsReady traineeship with St Mary’s College and decided to give a traineeship a go.

“I wasn’t prepared. I had no idea what I wanted to do during my exams. But teaching was always on my mind – so I thought, why not try teaching in a PE department? That sounds pretty cool.”

What started as a bit of a “see how it goes” moment quickly turned into something much bigger.

“From starting the experience to where I am now, the change I’ve noticed in myself is crazy – especially not knowing what I wanted to do. Then I came across this experience which was something I didn’t see in my future, but now it’s an everyday thing.”

At St Mary’s College, Lachlan slowly built confidence, skills and trust. With support from Employment Coach Brad Mielicki and the school, he gradually took on more responsibility and started stepping into a real teaching role.

“It’s also a credit to St Mary’s. They’ve created a welcoming environment here where I can be myself and being able to learn from some of the best.”

As time went on, Lachlan moved from helping out in lessons to running activities and taking more of a lead with students.

There wasn’t really one “big moment” where it all clicked – it was more gradual than that.

“On my first day on the job, I wasn’t exactly shy, but I wasn’t really the most confident person. I can’t think of a clear moment, but there were little patches where the responsibility started to get heavier and I was given more roles in classes.

“I started to notice how much of an impact I was making on the students through the interactions and connections with them. That’s when I started thinking, this could actually be the path I want to go down.”

His mentor Steve Garner helped guide that progression, slowly building up his responsibility until he was confidently leading parts of lessons and stepping up across the PE department.

By the end of his traineeship, teachers were regularly leaning on him to help run sessions, support students, organise equipment and get involved in school events and carnivals.

Students definitely noticed too. Acting Principal Genevieve Gordon says he’s become a really valued part of the school.

“The very first thing out of the students’ mouths is, ‘Where’s Lachie?’

“He is definitely ready to go out into a school and teach.”

Outside of school, Lachlan is also a committed AFL umpire, spending most weekends on the field. That’s helped shape how he communicates and leads groups.

“In footy we call it match management skills, but you can still use the same sort of strategies in the classroom.”

One of the biggest changes for him has been his confidence and how he communicates with others.

“I think one of the main ones was my communication. That really developed through it. Professionalism as well, being in a working environment.”

The relationships he built along the way also made a big difference.

“I didn’t realise at the time when I started here, but when I walked through the doors I actually knew a lot of people staff-wise by coincidence. So that really helped me settle in really quickly.

“Being able to learn off some of those mentors has just been amazing. Some great mentors like Gen, who I’ve known for 20 years – being able to work alongside her was really cool.”

Now, Lachlan has a clear direction for what’s next: becoming a qualified PE teacher.

“The traineeship has given me a clear pathway into teaching, which now I really see myself doing and really enjoy.

“I know what the next four years are going to be like studying and I have the confidence knowing that at the end of that I’ll be ready to be a teacher.”

For Lachlan, winning AFL SportsReady’s 2026 Trainee of the Year is a pretty surreal moment – and a reflection of just how far he’s come in a short space of time.

“It’s definitely been life-changing for me. I won’t look back now.”