Adrian Alston made it to the top as a professional footballer, playing for the Socceroos in their history-making trip to the 1974 World Cup, but he is just as proud of his “second career” with The Disability Trust.
The 76-year-old is the longest-serving employee at The Disability Trust after joining the organisation by chance in 1987 when he got a phone call out of the blue asking if he would be interested in helping a local indoor soccer team of people with disability.
His role has evolved over the years but the Disability Support Worker credits his time at the Trust for giving him a newfound purpose in life after his sporting career was brought to a premature end by a serious knee injury.
“I got a telephone call from a guy called Arnie Olbrich. He asked if I could give him a coaching session for the indoor soccer team. So I said, of course,” he recalled.
“He said he’s got this group of intellectually disabled soccer players and they want to start playing in the competition. So anyhow, I met him and what a lovely man, an absolute champion. He was the best I’ve ever seen for working in this job and with the people that we work with.
“I kept on going with these training sessions a couple of times a week. And then I saw this position in the Illawarra Mercury with Sport and Rec for The Disability Trust. And still unaware that Arnie was working for the Trust, I put in for the job. I came down for the interview, and Arnie was there inside. And I said ‘you work here?’ and he said, yeah, of course. And that was it.
“After having the indoor soccer team going for quite a few years, eventually five of the players got selected for the Paralympics team that went to Barcelona in 1992. I’m very proud of that fact.”
Adrian tore his anterior cruciate ligament while playing in America and after returning to Wollongong, he was searching for a new challenge.
“I was lost after I got injured so it was wonderful to be able to get this position because I was lost,” he said.
“After I got injured, I couldn’t play anymore. And at the same time, my son got Perthes Disease so he was walking around in calipers. It was a bad time for me but all those years later, it’s been wonderful to have this career. I’m just so lucky to have my position here.
“I was a lost soul after I played. And I really appreciate the chance that I got to be able to work.
“And I’m still working, and everybody keeps saying why are you not retiring when you’re 76 years old? Because I don’t want to. I’m enjoying myself, and I think it keeps me going.
“I see quite a few friends that I used to knock around with before, and I think, bloody hell, you look old. But I feel OK, I like my job, and I’m going to carry on as long as they need me.”
He said even though the Trust started as a small operation, its commitment to people with disability has always been huge.
“From the day one, everybody has been wonderful. It seems like they’re all on the same page as far as people with disabilities are concerned. That’s the number one issue.
“The whole position here is about the clients. They come first.
“And I’ve seen throughout the years how their lives have changed completely over that 36-year period.
“They will always need support. And so it’s imperative that the Trust keeps on going from strength to strength to be able to support these people.
“I think we’re on the right path anyway. I think it’s always evolving, and the people involved at the Trust, they’re always looking to improve things. So at least we know we’re going in the right direction each time. I’m just happy to know that the support is there, and it’s done properly.”
Learn about other key people in the story of The Disability Trust
