Leave it to Lever

BY BROOKE VARNEY.
Since joining the football club in November last year, hard-working defender Tyson Lever has been balancing the demands of VFL with an electrical apprenticeship, offered by Coburg FC sponsor Comselec Services.
Comselec Services are an electrical contracting company based in Coburg North, and have been proud sponsors of the club since 2014.
Managing Director Dario Ascenzo also doubles as a Coburg FC board member.
“Tyson is completing his electrical apprenticeship with us, and so far is travelling along nicely,” Ascenzo said.
After moving back to Melbourne from Adelaide after a stint in the SANFL, Lever found himself looking for work, and is very grateful for the opportunity that Comselec have given him.
“I’ve been working for Comselec for about seven months now, and loving every second; I’m really lucky,” he said.
“The boys (Dario and Dino) have been really supportive, and can always have a joke and laugh with them which is good!”

Lever has been playing footy since he was “a youngster”, joining in on his brother’s training sessions because their father would coach.
After playing with Romsey in Central Victoria, Lever then joined the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup, where he also served as stand-in captain on a number of occasions.
He made his VFL debut with Coburg late in 2016 when they took on Richmond, and found the experience “a real eye-opener”:
“I was lucky enough to be playing against AFL-listed players like Anthony Miles and Ivan Maric, and the way they worked on the ground really showed what it takes to play AFL/VFL football,” he said.
He joined Adelaide FC’s SANFL development squad in 2017, before returning Victoria and signing with Coburg for the 2018 season.
Having played in the last four games, he hopes to keep his spot in the side and continue to learn from the experience.
“It has been really enjoyable; the boys have really gotten around me and been supportive,” he said.
“The backs (defenders) are a really close group, which has made the experience a lot easier.”
Lever is a versatile addition to the Lions, in that he can either play as a halfback or a mid, with potential to also go up forward and kick goals.
In last two matches, the coaches have kept him in the backline, which Lever has really enjoyed.

But regardless of where he plays on the ground, he gives 110% to his game.
“My aim is to play my role for the team; if that’s locked down or a loose man in defence, I really want to do that to the best of my ability.”
Lever admits that at times, juggling full-time work with football and training can be difficult, but the 20-year old is making it work.
“Working from 7am to 3:30pm means I don’t usually have time to go to the gym and watch vision at home, so when I finish work I head straight to the club to try and hit out a gym session before training, and then usually watch some vision of both my game and the opposition there,” he revealed.
Lever will continue to balance VFL with his electrical apprenticeship, achieving both on and off the field.
Comselec Services are based in Coburg North, and offer all aspects of electrical and communication services in the commercial, industrial, retail and educational sectors.
For more information, please head to www.comselec.com.au.