Jared Nott has been awarded the Hunter TAFE Newcastle Knights Student of the Month Award for July.
Nott successfully balances training with the NYC Knights, studying a Certificate III in Carpentry at Hunter TAFE and working full time as an apprentice.
Football has always been a big part of his life. The local Newcastle junior kicked off his football career at Central Newcastle Football Club in the Under 9s.
So naturally, the chance to play for the Newcastle Knights was an exciting achievement when he was invited to join the NYC under 20s squad at the start of 2015.
After impressing on the field in NYC, Nott’s immediate goal is to push his way into the Knights’ NSW Cup team.
The biggest thing he’s learned in his time at the Club has been the attitude required at training.
“They are all really supportive with coming from a big day at work and getting through your work here at training as well and making sure you’re right for everyone and good to go for the weekend,” Nott told Knights TV.
While studying his Certificate III in Carpentry he spends the week working at Malman Constructions.
“I sort of fell into carpentry,” he explained.
“I left school and didn’t really know where I was going to go and was offered an apprenticeship with a company I labored with in school holidays and everything went from there.
“The Malman Group, they are based in Newcastle and are a family run company.
“We do everything from renovations, extensions, new houses and investments as well as some commercial work so it’s pretty good just to learn about carpentry.
“I’m half way through in my second year and need to get to four.”
As well as his aspirations on the football field, he hopes to build a future in the building industry.
“I’d like to one day own my own business and do my own small stuff with renovations and extensions, I really enjoy it,” he said.
“I have a lot to learn before that happens.
An even bigger dream for the aspiring player is to take the field as a first grade Knights.
“I’ve grown up in Newcastle and would love to play at Hunter Stadium with the NRL,” he added.
“At the moment I’m just focusing on playing good footy at the moment with the Knights and back with the local league.”
While he has plenty on his plate, he says he’s received valuable support from his workplace, Hunter TAFE and Club along the way.
“It’s pretty hectic to work a full day and then come straight to training for a couple of hours,” he said.
“It has been pretty tiring, but everyone at work has been good with it and have supported me with it by being really encouraging.”
