Over the past few months, West Coast Eagles Community and Game Development staff - alongside AFL and AFLW players - have had the opportunity to visit several regional townships under the umbrella of the Youth Engagement partnership with BHP.
Through these visits, the West Coast Eagles and BHP are committed to enhancing existing youth engagement programs and relationships, as well as promoting the importance of education and healthy lifestyles across Western Australia.
Below is a series of photos taken across the West Coast Eagles’ nine role model visits in 2021, along with the stories behind them.
To visit part one of our role model visits photo journal CLICK HERE.
Jarrod Cameron poses with students from Jigalong Remote Community School. The Jigalong community is situated in the Pilbara’s Western Desert region, 15 hours north-east of Perth and a two-hour drive from Newman. The Martu people are the custodians of this land, and have maintained a strong cultural connection to country across thousands of generations.
Youth Engagement Coordinator Clint Degebrodt watches on as a young Martu girl participates in Australia's Indigenous game on the Jigalong community oval. The community have a longstanding connection to football and the West Coast Eagles, with the local club – the Jigalong Eagles – proudly adopting the West Coast Eagles name and colours.
Martu children greet our Community and Game Development staff and players at the Jigalong Community Football Oval. For most Martu people, English is a second language and many Martu speak three or more languages. The universal language of football provides a great opportunity for cross-cultural relationships and social connection.
Jarrod Cameron and the West Coast Eagles team stop to assist a family change a tyre on the unsealed road between Newman and Jigalong.
A young boy enjoys the tree swing over Kalgan’s Pool in the East Pilbara. West Coast Eagles staff and players joined Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa (KJ) to support the KJ Kids on Country program. This program is aimed at youth in Newman and Jigalong who may be disengaged with school and offers an opportunity for cultural re-connection.
The KJ Kids on Country program aims to facilitate inter-generational cultural learnings. Martu elders with first-hand experience and traditional ecological knowledge of country provide important opportunities to transfer and preserve this knowledge and language with young people.
The Nullagine community football oval was the host of this year’s Martu Youth Festival. This annual event is a celebration of sport and culture, coordinated by Ngurra Kujungka and involving Martu communities from across the Western Desert region.
Whilst football takes the centre stage, softball, basketball and Martu cultural celebrations provide an opportunity for all to engage and take part in the festival. The West Coast Eagles have proudly attended and supported the Martu Youth Festival for several years to provide greater connection and pathway opportunities to the club, and in particular to the Naitanui Academy.
West Coast forward Isiah Winder meets fans at the Nightfields program in Newman. Facilitated by the Newman Neighbourhood Centre and delivered by Newman Police, Nightfields is a community-driven program that brings young people together over a game of football (or splash in the pool during the hotter months) each week.
"It's great to be a part of the Nightfields program in Newman, and contributing to the positive relationships between police and local community," Winder said.
Jarrod Cameron engages with a local family at Nightfields in Newman.
"Coming back home is always a great experience," Cameron said.
"I was really proud to come back on behalf of the club and spend time in the community.
"I can tell the kids got a lot out of the sessions we ran, they were smiling and laughing and really getting involved.
"I think they'll remember this when they're older and hopefully it helps them make good lifestyle choices and be the best that he can be."
Rick the Rock hands out West Coast Eagles giveaways to excited fans at the Newman Nightfields program. The Eagles mascot was a big hit with participants and families alike, helping to run the warm ups and join the activities – as well as pose for lots of photos!
Isiah Winder supporting the Newman Futures program at Train Park in East Newman. The West Coast Eagles role model visits contributed to increased numbers and enhanced engagement as part of this program, bringing young people together in a fun and safe environment within the local community.
