The top of the ladder clash this Saturday between Williamstown and Port Melbourne will take on extra significance for the Seagulls as they unveil a charity project their young players have been developing.
Through Williamstown’s development group – The Liam Picken Academy – the players have come up with a number of fundraising and promotional activities to raise vital funds and awareness for Ladder - a charity doing fantastic work to help young people affected by homelessness.
A bumper crowd is expected for what is shaping as one of the games of the season between two of the oldest football clubs, as traditional rivals Williamstown and Port Melbourne clash for the 235th time.
Williamstown Football Manager Chris Dixon said the players in the Development Academy were really keen to make a difference.
“We were lucky enough to have Ladder CEO Mark Bolton come down to speak to the boys about the issue of youth homelessness and the work Ladder does. From that moment our players in the Liam Picken Academy have come up with some great ideas to make this a successful event.
“I think the one thing that really twigged with our playing list was the difference that football can make in the community following on from the great work Mark Bolton and other AFL players have done with Ladder,” Dixon explained.
AFL Player’s Association Chief Executive Officer Matt Finnis will be the guest speaker at the club’s President’s Luncheon where a number of initiatives have been put in place to raise money. Aside from being CEO of the AFLPA, Finnis is also chairman of Ladder and will be speaking about some of the great work Ladder does in the community with disadvantaged youngsters.
Highlighting the clubs support for the charity, the following initiatives will be undertaken by Williamstown on the day:
- Williamstown FC playing list will donate a portion of their match payments to Ladder
- 50% of all money raised on the gate will be donated to Ladder
- All money raised through auction items at President’s Luncheon donated to Ladder
- Players will be roaming around the ground on match day asking for donations
- Players are raising funds through their workplaces, universities and by approaching Williamstown FC sponsors
- Players will wear blue and white armbands raising awareness for Ladder
- Williamstown FC players are creating a short video documentary highlighting the issue of Youth Homelessness and the positive work Ladder is doing – click HERE to view
INFORMATION ON LADDER
In 2007 a group of former Australian Football League players witnessed the issue of youth homelessness first hand and recognised that they could do more to address this issue.
With the backing of the AFL Players’ Association and the AFL, these players harnessed the AFL industry’s power for change to forge partnerships with State and Federal Governments, as well as corporate and non-profit sectors across Australia.
By leveraging a natural affiliation with the AFL industry, its players and networks, Ladder now provides programs that break the cycle of homelessness for disadvantaged young people aged 16-25.
Formed to extend beyond traditional services for young people affected by homelessness, Ladder’s projects integrate accommodation and support with the opportunities, experience and skills to help them transition into independent living and reach their true potential - irrespective of the barriers they face.
www.ladder.org.au
Last Modified on 10/08/2011 18:03