Get To Know Your New Recruits - A Q&A With Nelson Waite

Everyone loves to see a powerful tackle on the field, and that’s what you’ll get with Swan Districts rugby-turned-footy recruit, Nelson Waite.

The hard hitting backman comes to the Swans with great field awareness and a strong kicking ability.

Having learnt the game predominantly at school, his quick grasp of the game saw him captain the under 15’s squad very early on in his career.

We caught up with Nelson at training to learn more about how he came to sign with the Swan Districts Football Club.

When did you first start playing footy?

I first started playing footy in year 9. I switched over from rugby.

Do you remember your first game?

Yeah, in my first game of footy I broke my arm, so I sat out all of year 9. So my first official proper season was in year 10, I think which is under 15’s.

Where did you first start playing?

I didn’t start playing at a club. I first played for my school, Trinity College. I then played for one year at Bassendean then went to Mt Lawley.

When did you think you would like to play footy as a career?

Probably not until I was playing in the under 15’s and they sprung being the captain on me. They told me I was going to be the captain, but I felt like I didn’t know anything about leadership. I was able to have talks with the coaches about it and I really liked playing at a level higher. So I decided to continue playing football to see where it’d take me.

How did they let you know that you were going to captain the under 15’s?

Literally in the warmup. They called me over and said that I was going to be the captain.

What were your thoughts about being named as captain?

At first I thought they’d picked the wrong bloke. I wasn’t the loudest at the club, and hadn’t been taking the initiative of monitoring other people’s actions, just my own. It was really good and I was able to get the job done.

You’ve been with East Perth till now. Why did you choose to come play at Swan Districts?

I did it for a change in culture. I didn’t really like how I was travelling at East Perth. Pickers (coach Adam Pickering) was my old coach and he was a big influence on me coming over here and playing under him again. He shaped a lot of how I played at a younger age and how I was as a young man. He’s been a massive influence and that is a big reason why I came over here.   

What strengths do you bring to the team?

I’m going to bring my kicking ability and my decision making, to kick the right kick and make all the right choices and set the boys up off the half back line, so they can go forward from there. 

What are you hoping to achieve while you are at the Swans?

I really want to play a full season and try and get into the finals and play some finals footy. That’s the goal.

Along with playing at Swans, what else do you do?

I’m two and a half years into studying to be a Primary School teacher. I also work at Trinity College as a teacher’s assistant.

Is getting on an AFL list the dream for you?

I think it’s a dream for every young kid to play in the AFL. If the opportunity arises I will definitely take it with both hands, but if it doesn’t then I love what I’m doing at WAFL level, especially with the Swans.

What AFL team did you grow up barracking for?

I support the Fremantle Dockers. I used to be an Eagles supporter but my Nan and Pop bought me a Dockers membership back in 2008 and that’s how it started. I’m a massive Freo supporter.

Don’t miss Round 1 of the action as the Swans take on WAFL powerhouse, Subiaco, on April 4^th at Steel Blue Oval.

Always wanted to be part of the club? Our 2020 Season Memberships are great value and put you close to the action. Contact the club today for more information on how to join.