TEENS to have a close look at how an AFL club operates
WEST Coast Eagles is hosting a two-day Indigenous leadership program for 27 young footballers at Subiaco Oval.
The inaugural program is designed to provide the youngsters, aged between 15 and 17 years, an insight into the workings of an AFL club.
"From leadership development, to fitness and sports nutrition, to handling the media, this program is the first of its kind in WA and will arm these kids with real skills to make an impact, whether that be with football, their education, their career or as a member of their community," West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett said.
The new program is one of a number of such Indigenous-related programs the Eagles are supporting.
One of the club's greats, Chris Lewis, heads the Kicking Goals program in the Pilbara, which is backed by mining giant BHP Billiton Iron Ore, the WAFL's Swan Districts Football Club and the Eagles.
That program sets out to 'deliver quality educational programs to the towns of Port Hedland and Newman, and provide incentives to youth in both towns to focus on remaining in schools until their education is complete'.
West Coast also backs the David Wirrpanda Foundation, an initiative set up by current clubman Wirrpanda which has as its core foundation aims to 'promote strong role models and healthy life choices to Indigenous children, with a desire to assist and develop young people through education, promoting healthy lifestyles and building self-esteem and has a mentoring program which identifies talent and focuses on assisting indigenous youth with school, technical college, university and community and government programs'.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Monday, September 22, 2008
Last Modified on 22/09/2008 22:36