Youth Leadership Program delivers young leaders back into the community

More than three months after the beginning of the Youth Leadership Program, the young students graduated on Saturday, February 16 at the AFL NAB Cup triple header at Patersons Stadium.

The group of students aged 15-17, recognised as motivated young leaders, were selected from umpiring, school and community football programs to attend the Youth Leadership Program in November last year.

The program aimed to equip these already identified leaders with a range of skills to take back to their community and impact on their peers. Thanks to OneLife, the young leaders will now go back into their community as ambassadors for mental health and suicide awareness.

In addition to this, the group also attended sessions on understanding leadership, situational leadership, youth advocacy, mentoring and goal setting.

The program featured some high profile guests throughout including West Coast Eagles CEO Trevor Nisbett, AFL Umpire Dean Margetts, retired SAS soldier, Brett Warner, and WAFC High Performance & Integrity Manager, Steve Hargrave .

The WAFC Game Development team was also involved throughout the program. The wide range guest presenters shared some of their life experiences related to leadership, and had some valuable knowledge to share.

The program had its grand finale on Saturday after the NAB Cup, with WAFC Commissioner Larry Kickett and WAFC Director of Game Development Warren Nel contributing to a wonderful graduation for the group.

This is just the beginning for the group, as they now go back into their communities and aim to have an impact on not only their peers, but the wider community.