Jordan’s Journey from AFL to Santa Maria

We are thrilled to shine a staff spotlight on Jordan Snadden, a dedicated member of our Physical Education team at Santa Maria College. Jordan’s journey from playing Australian Rules Football with East Fremantle, Subiaco, and the West Coast Eagles, to teaching and coaching at our College, is both inspiring and impressive. His passion for sports and commitment to student development shines through in every aspect of his work.

Can you tell us about your journey in Australian Rules Football? What were some of the highlights from your time playing for East Fremantle, Subiaco, and the West Coast Eagles?

My journey began at the very young age of 5, growing up and playing junior football for the Bullcreek Leeming Junior Football club before being involved in the development squads at East Fremantle, as well as being able to represent WA in the under 15s and 18s. In 2014, I was selected to be a part of the NAB AFL Academy, which back then, was a program for 35 seventeen-year-olds from around the country to come together to train and live as AFL athletes. Within the program, we would meet in Melbourne every few months to train and play against VFL teams, and we also travelled to the USA to take part in a training camp at the IMG Academy. At the end of 2015, I was extremely fortunate to be selected by West Coast at pick 17 in the Rookie Draft and spent the following two years there. After my time at West Coast finished up, I returned to East Fremantle to be with mates for 4 years before moving to the Subiaco Football Club at the end of 2021, where I still play today. 

The biggest highlight would have to be being given the opportunity by West Coast to spend two years with them and learn from some of the competition’s best players. Playing in some big WAFL finals has also been a great experience, as has travelling to places such as Busselton, Geraldton, and Kalgoorlie to play our games. It’s always great giving back to the country towns!

What lessons from your professional football career do you bring into your teaching and coaching at Santa Maria College?

I think the biggest lesson that I’ve learnt playing football, that I have bought into teaching is the ability to understand that everyone is their own individual and works and processes things in their own unique way. Football is all about relationships and working together for a common goal, so if I am able to form a strong rapport with my students and then encourage them to learn and seek information in a way that they feel comfortable and confident, then hopefully, this will produce a result that they desire. 

I have also had to develop patience. Having had a number of injuries and surgeries, you learn to be patient with yourself and others. 

What motivated you to transition from professional football to a teaching career, and what do you find most rewarding about teaching Physical Education?

I have always had a keen interest in most sports and working with others, so being able to do both being a teacher was a no-brainer. I think the most rewarding thing as an Outdoor Ed and PE teacher is seeing students develop their own autonomy in their learning and seeing the joy in their faces when they accomplish something they were either unsure or worried about. Within the PE department as well, being able to work strongly as a team to run a successful swimming, athletics or cross-country carnival is also always super rewarding. 

How do you approach teaching and coaching girls in sports? Are there any specific strategies or philosophies you use to encourage their participation and growth?

Energy! Always try to bring energy to a class or team right from the beginning. It is so important to create a fun learning environment for the students. I also believe in implementing skill development within a game scenario. Students can often get tired or bored of stationery skills work, so when possible, I like to create games that help build the skills and create a competitive environment.

Outside of your teaching and football career, what are some of your personal interests and hobbies? How do you spend your free time?

I’m a very keen surfer, so whenever I have some free time, and my body isn’t too sore from football, I will look to get out or just spend time along the coast. I also love travelling and seeing new places. I travelled to America for a month a while back and have also gone to Vietnam and multiple places around Indonesia. Spending time in the southwest of WA is one of my favourite places to be. I am hoping to travel to Europe and Japan in the coming years. 

What do you hope to achieve in your first year at Santa Maria College, both in terms of your professional goals and your impact on the students?

Certainly, building on my professional knowledge is something I am keen to keep developing. I am very lucky to be working closely with some fantastic teachers in the PE department, so asking them questions about their own experiences here at Santa Maria and seeing how they teach certain aspects of Outdoor Education or PE is something I want to learn. In terms of impact on the students, I just want to be a positive male role model to them. There are fewer male teachers at the College, so being someone the students are able to come to for advice they may not otherwise ask someone else or even just a chat, and someone they can see as a positive male figure is something I am striving for. With so many of our students now keen footballers, being able to share my story and give them advice to further their develop and interest in the game I also find rewarding. Working closely with my Year 10 Homeroom and being a point of call for them is something I hope to continue for them into their later school years. 

Jordan’s dedication and enthusiasm for sports and teaching are evident in his responses and approach to coaching and education. His journey from professional football to becoming a valued member of the Santa Maria College community inspires our students and staff alike. Thank you, Jordan, for sharing your story and for your commitment to our College.