WAFL Captain Jackson Nelson and Regional Community Officer Sam Rotham journeyed from Perth to lend a helping hand with the East Newman Street Blitz, supporting improved social outcomes in the community.
The pair was joined by the club's newly appointed Newman Youth Engagement Coordinator Brendon Daily who facilitated their involvement in the week’s activities.
The Street Blitz is a recurring event in East Newman which sees over 20 volunteers support the local community to clean up public spaces and support residents to dispose of rubbish.
Eagles staff worked alongside local organisations in a collective effort to fill over 10 extra-large skip bins with rubbish from around town, as well as numerous Containers for Change bags which will be donated back to the community.
Creating Communities Consultant Erin Clise said the East Newman Street Blitz was made possible by the collective effort of organisations, such as the West Coast Eagles, to walk alongside the community and support positive outcomes for all.
“It was fantastic to have Sam, Jackson and Brendon on board for the Blitz, who were eager to get involved and brought many smiles to faces when community members saw the blue and gold. A big thank you to the West Coast Eagles for their continued support of the Newman Futures project.”
The visit to Newman coincided with the launch of Eagles Freestyle Footy, a new initiative that will be led by Brendon Daily as part of the Newman community’s weekly Nightfields program.
Eagles Freestyle Footy is designed to provide youth of all backgrounds and abilities with a fun, engaging and active football experience, in a culturally safe environment.
More than 40 young people attended the program where they were guided through a range of semi-structured skill development activities, before participating in a community game under lights at Boomerang Oval.
The YMCA and Shire of East Pilbara Youth Centre actively supported the program, providing transport assistance to and from the session, and ensuring meals were provided for all participants, contributing to a hugely successful program launch.
Daily was pleased with the outcome and praised Nelson and Rotham’s efforts in an important week for the local community.
“It was awesome having Jackson and Sam in town for a couple of days. They effortlessly connected with the kids and contributed their expertise to the footy sessions, and this had a massive impact on the community.”
“We spent a couple of days with the Newman Futures team on the Street Blitz which was essentially a community clean-up in the East Newman precinct.”
“The guys were asked to take plenty of selfies and photos, not only by the kids but the adults as well, and they always had time to do this and engage in conversation with members of the community,” he said.
With Reconciliation Week being Daily’s first official week in Newman, he said the opportunity to immediately immerse himself within the community through the week’s activities was fantastic.
“It’s been an educational experience for me, working alongside our partners and so many culturally strong First Nations community members. It’s an important reminder of what we’re trying to do in this country in having us all walk alongside one another.”
“For us, footy is the vehicle but I think in the town it’s also important to give the kids a voice, build their confidence and self-esteem and have some fun alongside their peers. That’s the most important thing in my opinion.”
The West Coast Eagles would like to thank our Youth Engagement Partner BHP for their continued support in building stronger and more connected communities across WA.
