PORT Adelaide might just have one of Australia’s finest trainees in its ranks, in events assistant Lisa Wilford.

Lisa was recently recognised as the AFL SportsReady South Australian Trainee of the Year for 2014/2015 for outstanding commitment to her role at Port Adelaide.

Joining the club in 2013 while completing her Certificate III in Sports and Recreation through AFL SportsReady, Lisa began working with the club’s events team, contributing to some of the biggest events on Port Adelaide’s calendar.

She certainly earned a name for herself around the club; being asked to stay on as a full-time events assistant upon completion of her traineeship.

Receiving the award in front of a crowd at a special graduation ceremony last month, Lisa described the feeling of taking home the honour as “amazing”.

“I couldn’t really describe the moment…mum and dad were extremely proud when the award was announced,” Lisa said.

“It was a great achievement knowing everything I’ve put in over the last year…you wouldn’t expect anything like this to come from it.”

The title is awarded annually by registered training organisation AFL SportsReady to the trainee who has shown outstanding qualities in the workplace, including team work and professionalism.

It’s no mean feat for a 19-year-old now just a year out of high school.

A passionate Port Adelaide fan since birth, it seemed only natural she would end up at the club she loves, and by all accounts, she’s fit into Alberton perfectly.

“It’s a great environment to be around, whether it’s a win or a loss, everyone still works as a team,” Lisa said.

“We’re all close and I’ve got a lot of friendships out of it – even though I am quite young compared to all my colleagues!”

Lisa also boasts some incredible achievements off the field, so to speak.

She adds the AFL SportsReady Trainee of the Year award to the mantlepiece alongside her National Tenpin Bowling Tournament medals.

An avid tenpin bowler since the age of seven, she’s represented South Australia three times; one of those as junior state captain in 2013 – the same year they bought the Junior President’s Shield to South Australia for the first time in 25 years.

Not many 19-year-olds can say they’ve received state titles in both their professional and personal fields of choice - but this modest young gun attributes her success to her supportive parents, partner, friends and of course, her team at Port Adelaide.

Congratulations Lisa!