Aspiring Footballer from an Early Age

Since the age of 6, Sam Iles has always had a keen interest in playing football to the highest level he could. With a strong sense of personal motivation, it’s little wonder Iles has made his way to the top throughout his football career.

‘When your young, you want to play at the highest level and as I kept moving up to each new level, I just kept on wanting to go further,’ says Iles, ‘I was lucky when I was younger… the opportunities I was presented, I ensured I worked as hard as I could to make the most of them.’

Iles’ passion for football began at the Sorell Junior Football Club in Hobart and from there on, there was no stopping him.

‘I moved to more professional clubs like Clarence Football Club for state wide competitions and played rep footy in Tassie for the 18’s. I was then lucky enough to move up to the VFL and from there I was drafted to Collingwood Football Club.’

After playing with Collingwood for three years, Iles moved to the Box Hill Hawks in 2009, which then saw him being picked up by Gold Coast Suns for another three years.

With football a key element in his life, Iles now has another key focus. In 2014, he and his partner Bec welcomed their first child, Olivia.

‘She puts life into perspective that’s for sure,’ says Iles, ‘but she gives life balance as well and after a stressful weekend of footy you do have that ability to relax outside the sporting world.’

‘My family have always been supportive of my footy but it’s good to have that break so its not all footy.’

Aside from family offering a distraction from football, Iles also spends much of his week at the Nike Head Office, so the sporting world is never too far away.

Iles has had a strong pre-season which is evident from his performance in Box Hill’s Round 1 clash against Sandringham where he led with 28 disposals, walking away with Best on Ground for the Blue Ribbon Cup.

The boys now look set to take on the Williamstown Seagulls this weekend in the Grand Final rematch.

‘It was good to get the first week out of the way against Sandringham… we know that our game plans do work and that our intensity is up there so we’re going into the Grand Final rematch with confidence,’ said Iles.

‘Obviously it would be good to get one up on our rivals early on in the year, ‘but it’s just another game of footy, just another 4 points on the line.’

‘In the Grand Final, Williamstown turned everything into goals while we just turned everything into points so I think we just have to be smarter with the ball.’

‘We’ve become more patient and smart with the footy. We’re using different options when we’ve got the ball, so if we can use that to pressure them and keep the ball in our half then hopefully we’ll get the four points.’

Be sure not to miss any of the action by tuning into Channel 7’s live TV coverage from 11:30am or 3WBC for live radio coverage throughout the match.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Jenny Owens Photography