Life is full of hope, disappointment, struggle, and joy regardless of where your path takes you.
AFL players are not immune to the ebbs and flows of life and Cam McCarthy knows all too well about the challenges of life on as on an AFL list.
The 22-year-old recently spent his day taking at-risk and disadvantaged students through the Freo’s new home base at Cockburn Central and chatting to the kids about life and its many challenges.
“I moved away to Sydney when I was 18 and I lived there for two years and that’s where I experienced some difficult times,” McCarthy said.
“Being away from family and friends was difficult, I struggled with that when I moved over east.
“So I took a risk and stepped away from the game I love to be able to move home and be with my family, and I was lucky enough that it all worked out for me.”
The students were invited to be apart of the day by ‘Friend of the Foundation’ associate partner 12 Buckets.
12 Buckets is a community organisation based in Perth’s northern suburbs that works with schools to mentor at-risk and disadvantaged students.
12 Buckets founder and CEO Travis Fitch was full of praise for McCarthy and said the day would be one the students would remember for awhile.
“To have Cam talk about his life and how he kept on pushing through when challenges arose is an immense privilege for not only the students but also our staff,” Fitch said.
“The whole exercise for the day was to have their imagination opened up as to what is possible in life beyond school for them.”
McCarthy said the day was just as important for him as it was for the students.
“We’re not superheroes or superstars, we aren’t different to anyone in any way, but we have been lucky enough to be given a chance to fulfil our dreams,” McCarthy said.
“If we can inspire the younger generation to make them realise they can achieve their dreams too then that can only be a good thing.
“To be in the position where I can be seen as a role model and have the opportunity to brighten someone’s day means a lot to me."
