Monday night’s third workshop at Undera marked the end of the formal workshops for the Outside The Locker Room program across the Goulburn Murray for this season.
Focused on 15-21 year old males and females 54 workshops involving 16 Goulburn Murray clubs have been delivered over the last three and a half months in partnerships with Bendigo Health and Greater Shepparton City Council. To demonstrate the response and the impact of the content almost 2,300 participants have been involved in the program during that time at an average of just under 43 participants per workshop.
AFL Goulburn Murray Region General Manager Martin Gleeson has been overwhelmed by the response and feedback for the program.
"Participants have been involved in discussions and workshops across a whole range of areas that impact on them as emerging adults" he said.
"We have had very personal and heart felt accounts from the presenters as well as role playing sessions and frank workshops on mental health, drugs, alcohol, eating disorders, bullying, personal branding and decision making."
"One of the really pleasing aspects has been the engagement from participants and their willingness to share their stories, discuss personal issues and to seek help if they need it."
"Whilst the workshops may have now been completed the program continues in a mentoring capacity with participants engaged through the app and other program resources."
Tallygaroopna President David Davis has been impressed with the relevance of the content.
"The program’s ability to hit parents, kids and players in the face with the facts was the key" he said.
"It made even the biggest of people sit down, listen and evaluate the way they go about life and how it affects themselves and others."
"Since the first session there has been a massive buzz and conversation around the club about it. People have wanted to come back for all sessions and this is full credit to the way the program has been put together."
Echuca President Brett Stephens sees the program as a valuable addition to what his club contributes to their community.
"As clubs we all have responsibilities in the development of our youth" he said.
"The OTLR program provided us with an alternative, challenging, interactive and most importantly, enjoyable series of personal development sessions which continually held the attention of our young members."
"We highly recommend the OTLR program to all organisations that have teenage members."
Stanhope Secretary Jason Leocata was also in high praise for the decision making discussions in the program.
"Jake and the team were fantastic, the program was great and really well run" he said.
"It wasn’t about ‘what to do’ and ‘what not to do’ it was really about decision making and how that can impact yourself and others around you."
"Even though the program was targeted at a slightly younger audience, we encouraged anyone to come along and we had a great response from not only our players but also other members of our club and the OTLR team certainly embraced that."
"Anyone who attended only had positive feedback, and this was on the back of their willingness to emotionally invest in the program themselves."
Last Modified on 11/11/2015 10:19