James Worpel opens up on his work experience week in a juvenile justice centre
While his teammates donned suits and aprons, young gun James Worpel chose to spend his work experience week in an correctional institution. He opens up on the unforgettable experience.
Hawthorn
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Hawthorn’s James Worpel has always had an interest in working in prisons.
But, more than anything, he just wanted to listen when he arrived at the Parkville Juvenile Justice Centre for a week of work experience in December last year.
In a significant twist to the pre-season program, premiership coach Alastair Clarkson wanted his troops to experience a week-long taste of life outside the football bubble to help break-up the grind and routine of a summer campaign.
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But rather than put on a suit for a real estate agency, or financial institution, or even an apron at a café such as teammate Daniel Howe, Worpel followed in the footsteps of some of his friends, and friends’ parents, and chose the corrections system.
And that first day, surrounded by high walls and barbed wire, was an eye-opener.
“I think when I walked in there I still didn’t really know what to expect, and then that first day, yeah, it was a bit hos
tile to be honest,” Worpel said.
“You have these kids from ages 12 to about 18 and some of them were only a couple of years younger than myself, really.
“And, some of them would sort of give you a bit of a cold shoulder at the start and some of them were actually pretty intimidating.
“I hadn’t thought that of a 12-year-old before, but in there it opens your eyes.”
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On the field, Worpel is as brave as they come, announcing his arrival on the AFL stage in 2018 when he bee-lined for a ball against Geelong champion Joel Selwood, and won the courageous contest against one of football’s toughest customers.
It was a significant moment in the middle of the MCG. Clearly, he belonged at the level.
“I thought to myself (after that contest), ‘I can do this. I can really have a crack at this and I deserve to be here’,” he said.
“You have those little moments, these little wins and especially when you are young, so that was a good one.”
And it got even better last year when Worpel, taken pick No.45 from the Geelong Falcons, won the Hawks’ best and fairest in only his second year.
The 21-year-old from Bannockburn was the Hawks’ youngest best and fairest winner since arguably the game’s greatest player, Leigh Matthews, won his first in 1971, aged 19.
But what is also clear is that the young hard nut Hawk is not only has a ferocious appetite for the contest.
He also has a big heart.
NEW FRIENDS
Worpel, who worked as a labourer on a Geelong winery before he was drafted – moving hay bales and pruning vines – said he has long felt drawn to either teaching kids, or just generally helping those who needed it the most. Even if it is behind bars.
“I like listening to people,” Worpel said. “I mean, to be really honest, I’m not a huge talker. I probably tend to keep things to myself a little bit.
“But I have always tried to be nice to people. I grew up in a big family (of nine), where you’ve got to make sacrifices.
“And I just really like helping people, and to be there for people when they need someone and be that emotional support.”
With that sort of gracious attitude, it’s perhaps no surprise that after an at times frosty and challenging start to his time at Parkville, there was a breakthrough.
And he did it, with a Sherrin in his hand.
“There was one boy who didn’t really talk much, and didn’t really talk much to the other kids either,” Worpel said.
“He was pretty new there.
“But then throughout the week I saw him start to come out of his shell a bit and in the end, he was probably the one who opened up a bit to me and was closest to me.
“He was actually a pretty good footballer, so we played a bit of footy and had a kick and played some basketball. He a really good athlete.
“For me, it was about trying to connect. Learning about these kids and what has happened in their lives, trying to be an ear for them and even a role model if I can.
“You just want to be able to try and relate with some situations in your own life and their life and try and put yourself in their shoes and not judge, that’s the main thing. We are all human. We all make mistakes.
“Some of the kids haven’t had the best luck in their lives and I think everyone is trying really hard to break that cycle of going in, getting out, getting into trouble again and going back in there.”
By the end of the week, there was some sadness from his new friends that Worpel was leaving.
“Some of them were a bit annoyed I was going,” he said.
“There were some questions about when I was coming back, and ‘when will we see you again?’
“But if I ever did go back, the kids that were in there won’t be back in there again, hopefully. Most of them will get out.”
THE UNDERLYING MESSAGE
Aside from an unforgettable work week, something unexpected also happened at training when they arrived from 5pm to kick the footies.
The sessions absolutely buzzed. Even Clarkson was blown away by the training standards and the excited chatter among the players, as they explained their work days.
Rather than feeling tired (they also went to the club gym from 6am), the time apart from their teammates and away from the club helped refresh, and rejuvenate, them.
It was such a success, Hawthorn is looking at ways to expand the program to two weeks for next pre-season. Hawthorn, once again, could be ahead of the curve on player welfare.
“Funnily enough, it was one of our best weeks of training for the whole of the pre-season,” Worpel said.
“There was a real buzz, everyone was coming to training, genuinely excited to be there.
“It is funny how that happens when you spend some time away from the club and you just want to go back there.
“You should have seen Isaac Smith. I remember he said, ‘How good is this. I wish we could do this almost every week’.
“He was so pumped.
“Personally, it makes you thankful for what you have got, really. It was a wake-up call.
“How good is this? How good is my life? Plenty of people have it tougher than me.”
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The same message hit home when the Hawthorn players took another three days out in January to help build fences and lift locals’ spirits in bushfire-devastated Buchan and Corrying.
But the time has almost come for the new season to start.
And Worpel, who was arguably the second-best young player in the competition last year behind Carlton’s Rising Star winner Sam Walsh, is ready to roll the sleeves back up in 2020.
Even in only his third season, the 33-gamer looks like future captaincy material.
“I really pride myself on working hard and getting the most of out of myself and I’m probably not the most talented bloke, but I try and work the hardest,” he said.
“Last year was a crazy year for me, I felt really comfortable in Melbourne.
“When I was drafted I was just happy to be taken by any club, interstate or wherever. I just wanted to play footy.
“But I couldn’t be happier at Hawthorn, I really couldn’t. With Tom Mitchell back and the young guys stepping up, we are really excited for the year.
“This season, for us, anything is possible.”