SPORT

A GUIDING VOICE

Former AFL footballer Troy Selwood joined GGS as Head Coach of Football & Sports Performance Mentor in Term 4, 2021. Troy played 75 games for the Brisbane Lions and was captain of Geelong’s VFL team before being appointed Geelong VFL and Academy Manager, guiding development of the Cats’ emerging AFL-listed players. He was then promoted to Talent Identification Manager, responsible for Geelong’s AFL recruiting operations, before joining GGS. Troy is passionate about mentoring aspiring young sportspeople to achieve their potential.

I believe there are so many great life lessons to be gained by participating in sport. I have been extremely fortunate for sport to play a major part in my life and teach me about the importance of teamwork, discipline, work ethic, resilience, time management and leadership. I have predominantly been involved in team sports throughout my journey, so I respect the importance of developing a positive team culture and how this plays a significant part in success and achieving great outcomes.

Sport can help define your character. It can test you in good times and bad – when you have momentum and when your back is against the wall. These experiences are invaluable whether you win or lose – it’s all about being prepared to push yourself out of your comfort zone and always trying your best.

Most importantly sport is about enjoyment. We get to live healthy and happy lives – which is great for our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

I was very fortunate to enter the AFL industry three days after my final Year 12 exam. The last place I expected to be drafted to was Queensland, but what an amazing ride it was to join the Brisbane Lions at the height of their powers in 2002. I learnt so much about football and life from my teammates, coaches, and support staff over an eight-year period.

I was then very lucky to be offered a full-time off field role in 2010 to join the Geelong Football Club in football operations and recruiting. I spent 11 years at the Cats, which helped shape my professional career and skillset. Again, I was surrounded by some amazing operators and mentors.

“The core of my role at the School is to provide an environment where our student athletes are feeling supported and well looked after.”

Troy Selwood Head Coach of Football & Sports Performance Mentor

Amongst all of this, I developed a strong passion for mentoring talented young athletes and providing guidance and support to assist their sporting journeys. When I saw an opportunity arise at Geelong Grammar to play such a role in a new environment, I knew I had to apply. It’s now my turn to ‘give back’ to aspiring young kids making their way through life. I find this opportunity extremely rewarding and uplifting. I am very driven to help our students realise their potential at GGS, and then launch into exciting futures beyond their years at Corio.

This School is a very special place and I have loved meeting everyone. I have also really enjoyed witnessing the School come back to life beyond the pandemic – it has been such a challenging past few years, so I think we all appreciate the little things that were probably once taken for granted. It’s so good to see students walking between classes, co-curricular activities and sport coming back to life, and school events returning. I underestimated how busy our students are on a daily basis – from the morning boarding house assembly right through to the end of ‘prep’ each night. There is so much happening in their days, but I think it’s fantastic! I wish I could travel back in time 20 years to experience life as a GGS student!

Another thing I have underestimated is how big our Corio campus is – you don’t want to leave your books behind after class as it’s a fair old hike to go back and get them!

There is so much I’d love to sink my teeth into at GGS, but over recent years I have learnt the art of pacing myself. The core of my role at the School is to provide an environment where our student athletes are feeling supported and well looked after. I also want to help provide direction for our sports programme, starting with boys’ and girls’ football in 2022.

I am big on the fact that our students must own their journey and drive their careers – but at times they may just need a helping hand to stay on course. That’s where I feel like I can come in and help.