Chad Wingard

The Wingard name was well known in Murray Bridge football circles long before a young Chad Wingard began playing junior football with the Imperial Football Club. Trevor Wingard was a popular 300 plus game player for the Imperial, Rambler and Mypolonga clubs. Trevor was one of the best from a strong group of indigenous players who have played in the River Murray Football League.

The Wingard’s are an amazing family unit with Trevor’s indigenous heritage, mother Julie being white and the extended family group consisting of their three boys Trent, Chad and Jarrod plus five foster children from both black and white backgrounds. Chad was raised to respect both cultures by his parents. Trevor and Julie have also instilled into their children the importance of family values, a strong work ethic and to make the most of the natural talent they possessed.

Chad won his first award as best and fairest for the Imperial under 12 team in 2006, the same year as he was selected in the state under 12 SAPSASA team. In 2008, Chad was a member of the Imperial under 17 premiership team and the following year made his A grade debut for the Imperial Football Club at just 15 years of age.

As good as his senior debut year had been, Chad went to a new level in the 2009 RMFL grand final when he kicked five goals in an outstanding display of skill and athleticism that mesmerised his opponents. In doing so he announced to the football world that he was indeed a future star destined to play football at the highest level. Chad signed off on his outstanding junior career as captain of the South Australian under 18 team in 2011 after making his league debut with Sturt earlier in that season.

There was more to young Chad Wingard than being an exciting football prospect. He was as equally talented on the basketball court. At one stage during Chad’s sporting development he was captain of both the state under 16 football team and state under 16 basketball team. Chad was keen to pursue both sports to the highest level as he believed the skills of both games complimented each other. Chad felt that basketball was helping his footwork and peripheral vision when he played football. Dad Trevor thought otherwise and could see the heavy toll the pressure of both sports would have on his son and gave Chad two weeks to make decision on which would be his preferred sport. When Chad still insisted on doing both, Trevor became the voice of reason and chose football for him. Chad did not speak to him for a week but Trevor could see the long term advantages and rewards that football could provide his son. Chad still hopes to play 100 games for Port Adelaide and then embark on a professional basketball career in the United States.

Perhaps the most important benefit Chad has gained from an AFL football career is his work with the AFL’s multicultural program where he has a role as Port Adelaide ambassador for the Aboriginal Power Cup. With great pride, Trevor and Julie are amazed that their shy teenage son who only left his bedroom to play sport, now sits on the AFL Players Association Indigenous Advisory Board, alongside the likes of Adam Goodes.

Chad is well known for his lack of enthusiasm in AFL football as a spectator sport having only ever been to one AFL game before being drafted. Chad is quickly bored watching football at any level and now as an AFL player doesn’t read the papers or watch any of the TV programs on the game. Chad did not have any AFL heroes that he looked up to but did have basketball heroes in LeBron James and Australia’s Patrick Mills. Chad’s brother Jarrod is even more disinterested in football and Chad can rely on his younger sibling to keep him well grounded. When the two hang out together they can and are able to enjoy interests away from football.

The fame and bright lights of a glittering AFL career have done little to change the character of a country boy who loves the security of his family and still has the same friends from his school days. No better example of this was when Port Adelaide presented him with a Renault as part of his contracted additional services allowance. Chad then headed down to the sponsor’s caryard and straight to the used car section before being told he was to select a brand new car.