TIV: WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY

From elite athlete to skilled tradesman, Will Hoskin-Elliott proves that planning for life beyond footy is just as important as success on the field.

A current Collingwood Football Club player with over 200 AFL games under his belt, Will is known for his athleticism, versatility, and work ethic. He’s played key roles across half-forward, wing and defence and was a top-ten finisher in the prestigious Copeland Trophy (Collingwood Best and Fairest).

But it’s not just the black-and-white stripes where Will’s been putting in the hard yards. Off the field, he completed his Certificate III in Carpentry at the Trade Institute of Victoria (TIV) joining teammates Steele Sidebottom, Taylor Adams and Jordan De Goey to gain real-world trade skills.

“I really enjoyed doing woodwork at high school and I always thought to myself that if footy didn’t work out or wasn’t an option as a profession, I’d love to become a carpenter and ultimately a builder,” Will said during his time at TIV.

He credits the course with providing the balance needed to thrive under AFL pressure.

“Everything at TIV has been exceptional. We’ve only really known each other a couple of months (the Collingwood group and TIV), but it’s like we’ve been friends forever. We learn so much in such a short period of time, and we are really enjoying what we are doing,” he said.

And the impact goes beyond the classroom.

“There is no doubt that having an interest away from the footy club helps your performance on game day,” Will says. “You just feel more balanced, and I think it shows in how we play,” Will said.

TIV previous trainer Sean Clinch agreed – “Will was outstanding, reliable, humble, and driven. He’ll be a great asset to the building industry if he chooses to go down that path.”

Will Hoskin-Elliott is proof that developing a trade career while playing elite sport is not only possible it’s powerful.

Interested in building your future while kicking career goals?

Chat to our course advisors today and find out how you can get started in a Carpentry or Building course at TIV.

You can call (03) 9399 9511 or visit www.tiv.vic.edu.au