Avery's Story.
Last week Launceston celebrated one of its own.
Avery was selected at Pick 28 in the AFL Draft by the Gold Coast Suns – a dream he has carried since he first laced up a pair of boots.
It’s a moment every young footballer imagines, but only a few ever experience. A moment of pure possibility.
But what makes Avery’s story powerful isn’t just where he’s going.
It’s what he’s already overcome to get there.
A few years ago, as his classmates filed into their high-school graduation assembly, Avery faced a moment no teenager should ever have to endure. Right there, in front of his entire year level, his dad suffered a heart attack.
The whole room froze. Life changed in an instant.
Moments like that become fork-in-the-road moments – when life can tip towards despair, isolation, or self-protection… or towards courage, resilience, and renewed hope.
Avery chose the harder path: to keep moving forward.
He didn’t do it alone.
He was surrounded by a web of support – his family, his friends, his school, and importantly, his football community.
Launceston Football Club take player wellbeing seriously, which is one reason why our seven-year sports chaplaincy partnership with them has been so meaningful.
And in the middle of that community, moments of transformation quietly unfolded.
One of my personal memories I’ll always cherish was at a pre-season camp when Avery shared his story with his teammates.
Coach Mitch Thorp had intentionally created a culture of transparency, authenticity, and support by inviting a few players to speak openly about their journeys. I had the privilege of helping Avery share his story and helping shape how the group responded.
It was one of those sacred moments – where vulnerability builds trust, and teammates become something closer to family.
And Avery flourished in that environment.
His story is a reminder of something we all feel deep down:
We love stories of people overcoming difficulty.
They speak to something universal in us – our longing for resilience, redemption, and hope. These stories remind us that hardship doesn’t get the final word when community steps in.
Avery reminds us why every sporting club needs a Sports Chaplain.
Someone who shows up, week after week, offering presence, care, and quiet strength when life takes an unexpected turn. Someone who helps young people navigate their own fork-in-the-road moments.
His journey fits into a bigger picture we carry at Judes Village – a vision for a city soaked in everyday compassion:
Youth groups in every suburb.
School programs in every school.
Sports Chaplains (and everyday Judes) in every sporting club.
Avery’s story is not just a sports success.
It’s a glimpse of the kind of community we’re building – one where young people never face adversity alone, and where hope grows in ordinary places.
More Stories from Jude's Village
Jude's Village January 2026 Newsletter: Youth Camp Recap
Jude's Village November 2025 Newsletter: Avery's Story: Hope, heartbreak, and an AFL Draft Pick.
