Pasini forced to focus on health

WAFL League player Jake Pasini is focused on his health and looking after his body after returning to Swan Districts Football Club.

Pasini returned from playing for Port Adelaide in South Australia ahead of the 2024 WAFL season.

Since his return Pasini has been playing back at Swans, with some teammates he has known for many years, since they played for the Colts team.

“I have some friends there, they’re still running around with me,” Pasini said.

He is enjoying playing football with his friends and is pursuing his carpentry apprenticeship.

“Before footy I wanted to be a carpenter,” Pasini said.

“It’s fun doing both.”

Pasini had his second ACL reconstruction surgery two months ago and is still recovering.

“My goal is to get my body right; I haven’t been playing at 100 per cent the last couple of years.”

“I need to get my confidence back and I want to win a flag with Swans.”

Despite his success in being drafted, Pasini has had setbacks in his pursuit to play football. Throughout his career he has had two knee surgeries and damaged his shoulder twice.

Pasini didn’t make his professional debut for Port Adelaide but learnt a lot of lessons from his time there.

“It was tough, not making it,” Pasini said.

“I want to play footy well…time will tell if I get back to top level. If not, I am still happy.”

Pasini’s recent ACL reconstruction surgery has seen him out of action this season and requiring time off from his carpentry apprenticeship.

This time off has led Pasini to resume working for Swans at the Youth Hub and in the Elevate Footy program, as he did throughout 2024.

The Youth Hub is a place school students can go afterschool to socialise and chat with staff members. It’s equipped with a pool table, video games and fruit for the kids.

“If kids do need somewhere to go, they can come down and chill out with their friends,” Pasini said.

In the Elevate Footy program, staff members go to schools to run sessions both in and out of the classroom.

Swans Social Impact Coordinator Josh Stone runs the sessions, and the activities can range from football games to Q&A discussions.

Pasini enjoys working with the kids, supporting them and seeing them grow.

“I saw some kids I worked with last year and they were happy to have me back around,” he said.

Pasini worked with high school students who were excited to play and have now joined Swans to play for the under 14’s and 15’s.

Pasini often gets asked by students for general life advice.

“If it’s the career pathway you want, keep trying, even if it’s a long way away and there are hurdles, keep going towards it,” Passini tells them.

“I’ve had some hurdles, but I am happy with where I am at now.”

By Ava Rawlings