Wil’s a ‘soccerholic’ who’s turned sport into a career. He grew up playing basketball and AFL football too, but the sport known as ‘the beautiful game’ was – and is – his ‘number one’.
Wil’s participated in One Culture’s soccer programs for years and, as he grew into the sport and graduated high school, the organisation offered him an assistant coaching position, which he instantly accepted.
Today, Wil helps run school soccer programs, where he helps to coach students from Reception through to Year 6. He likes working with the coaches, his support workers, and the players, and enjoys teaching new skills to the mini-Beckhams who join in each session.
“I’m fortunate that One Culture’s provided this opportunity and I love doing my dream job. I hope to keep working with One Culture and growing in my role,” says Wil.
Wil’s also involved with Adelaide United through a partnership with One Culture.
“I attend training sessions for the men’s and women’s teams and help with coaching there too – setting up drills and helping to run them, chasing balls, joining in, and packing up’” says Wil. “They’ve truly embraced me and made me feel part of the club.”
If all that soccer wasn’t enough, Wil also plays competitively for West Beach Soccer Club, which he describes as a ‘great experience’. He’s social and outgoing, training twice a week, watching other teams play, and having dinner with his teammates. Wil’s a regular at the club that’s become like a second home to him.
“The club is inclusive and I’ve made some great friendships,” he says.
Wil was one of My Plan Manager’s first clients and is a family friend of our founder, Claire Wittwer-Smith, who created the concept of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan management at her kitchen table in 2014, whilst working at the National Disability Insurance Agency.
“At the time, Claire recognised that my husband and I were drowning as a family of four in the face of unforeseen circumstances,” says Wil’s mum, Tracey. “Claire helped us with the NDIS application forms, fast tracked our NDIS interview, helped us at the first interview, and then transitioned us to My Plan Manager. She also connected us with providers and saved us at a time when we were really flailing.”
Tracey says the NDIS has significantly improved Wil’s quality of life.
“I’m not sure what our lives would look like without it, and I recognise how fortunate we are that the NDIS is around now to help Wil,” she says.
“I’ve heard people say that it’s all too hard and it did take time to get things running smoothly, but it was well worth it. What’s evident is Wil’s thriving and happy, and that’s what really counts.”
