Footy helps nurture future leaders

Students from Hamilton Senior High School recently completed a Leadership and Development Program that has provided them with the skills to co-ordinate football clinics for primary school-aged children.

The course was the brainchild of former North Melbourne midfielder Liam Anthony as part of his role as Metro South District Community Engagement Coordinator for the WA Football Commission (WAFC).

Liam led the Year 10 students through the four-week course, which covered the basics of coaching and umpiring, and allowed the students to plan and implement a coaching clinic for a local primary school.

The program was designed to motivate disengaged students and teach them skills that would give them an opportunity to contribute to the community.

The decision to pilot the program at the school was made after Anthony had discussions with Hamilton SHS Student Support Officer Michelle Taylor and the Aboriginal & Islander Education Office.

“It was tough to hear some of the things Michelle mentioned to me about these students,” Anthony said.

“To see them develop some skills over the first three weeks was fantastic.”

The students were fortunate enough to meet current AFL umpire and WAFC Umpire Development Manager Dean Margetts who talked about his experiences and the requirements to be a field, boundary and goal umpire.

Former Hawthorn FC player Jermaine Miller-Lewis, who returned to Perth and has recently signed with South Fremantle FC, spoke to the class about his life story and shared some of his amazing artwork in a session that resonated with the students, many of whom have encountered similar challenges to those faced by Jermaine as a teenager.

Student Support Officer Michelle Taylor was very pleased with the outcomes achieved from the program.

“We had increased engagement and participation during the course of the program and it was identified that there was reduced anti-social behaviours,” Taylor said.

“The number of program participants continued to grow as word spread in the school community about how much the students were enjoying it.”

The program culminated in a football clinic at East Hamilton Hill Primary School run by Anthony and Adam, one of the students to complete the course.

“Adam has asked if he can continue to do some work in coordinating school clinics in the future, Anthony said.

“This is a great result for the WAFC as it shows we can have a real impact on young people’s lives.”