Soccer star motivates Gleeson students
Schools
Australian Socceroo Craig Goodwin is the first old scholar of Gleeson College to feature on the Golden Grove school’s ‘Wall of Fame’.
The Adelaide United player’s framed gurnsey and pictorial tribute were unveiled by former principal Phil Lewis when the football star visited his old school in July.
Principal Joe Corbo said the wall would host other “luminaries” such as Daniel Mullen, Dylan and Ryan McGowan, Bradden Inman, Alex Mullen, Jordan Elsy, Georgia Campagnale and Grace Abbey as well as AFL players Jack Graham (Richmond) and Jade Halfpenny (Port Power).
“We hope that this Wall of Fame will inspire generations of students to come to adopt a growth mindset, our college theme for this year, and follow their dreams no matter how big.”
Mr Corbo said Craig was viewed by the college community as “one of its most famous old scholars and certainly a most amazing member of our World Football Program”.
He thanked Craig for his generosity in returning to the school and sharing his journey as well as his “absolute commitment to our college and desire to support us in any way possible”.
The Goodwin Perpetual Medal was also announced by former principal Phil Lewis, who started the football program in 2004.
The medal will recognise a student who has overcome adversity and demonstrated resilience in all areas of their school journey. It will be awarded for the first time in 2024 to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the football program.
Craig, who graduated in 2009, spoke at the school’s growth mindset assembly, and spent time meeting students and staff during a signing session.
He focused on the challenges he experienced in his football career such as missing out on State squads, being told he wasn’t good enough when he went to trial for an English youth team and the financial struggles he faced as a young player in Melbourne after he failed to be signed by Adelaide United.
He also spoke about injuries and the ups and downs of his professional career, including injuries and the excitement of competing in the 2022 World Cup after the disappointment of missing out in 2018.
“It doesn’t matter how many setbacks you go through…you can always use it to your advantage in your motivation and that’s something that I’ve done time and time again and I hope that by listening to this that you’re able to take some small piece of this and add it to your life,” he said.
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