Player Perspective – Ian Richardson

THE WAFL website will be publishing columns from players throughout the 2013 season taking a look at the lives of WAFL footballers, and what it takes on and off the field to be a successful player and also build a life outside the game. This week it’s dual Claremont premiership forward, fairest and best winner and Simpson Medallist Ian Richardson.

Over the past 10 years I have dedicated a lot of time to playing WAFL football and I have loved it. I would be lying if I said I never get tired of the high level of commitment required but winning the last two premierships has made it all worthwhile.

I started off in the development squads at Claremont and have worked up through the colts, reserves and finally to league level. Playing at this level is difficult because as we are not playing at a professional level we all have work or study commitments that take up most of our time and leave us with very little time to focus on training and extra sessions. Once you add to this finding time for your family and friends you are left with basically no spare time.