BHP Billiton Iron Ore and the West Coast Eagles yesterday announced a landmark partnership aimed at promoting the importance of education and healthy lifestyles across Western Australia.
BHP Billiton Iron Ore has signed on to be the West Coast Eagles' Principal Community Partner for the next three years supporting such programs as: Eagles Rock My School, Eagles Faction Footy, Eagles Cup, BHP Billiton Iron Ore Indigenous Leadership Program and the Kicking Goals Program.
The new partnership builds on the unique Kicking Goals Program that commenced in 2005 in Port Hedland and Newman High Schools which continues to deliver impressive academic and social results for both Pilbara Towns.
The Kicking Goals Program, which is delivered in partnership with the Swan Districts Football Club, has played a pivotal role in reducing criminal activity and truancy levels in Port Hedland. Criminal activity has dropped by 53 per cent since the introduction of Kicking Goals, while school truancy levels are at their lowest in years. There has also been a marked reduction in anti-social behaviour, a 64 per cent improvement in literacy and numeracy among Indigenous students at Newman Senior High School and an Indigenous attendance rate for Hedland Senior High School at 73.2 per cent, sitting well above the state average of 67.4 per cent.
Richard O'Connell, BHP Billiton Iron Ore Regional Manager Sustainability, said he was excited at the prospect of BHP Billiton Iron Ore and the West Coast Eagles coming together to help students across the State make the very most of their school experience.
"We are pleased to be building on this great partnership to further enhance education both in the Pilbara and also across the state of Western Australia," Mr O'Connell said.
"This partnership complements the significant portfolio of educational investments we make with a range of great partners including the Education Department of WA, University of Western Australia, Curtin University of Technology, Scitech and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research.
Our aim is to invest in educational initiatives that provide young people with a solid education that will give them positive choices as they get older, he said."
West Coast Eagles Chief Executive Trevor Nisbett said the partnership with BHP Billiton Iron Ore was essential in the club being able to deliver on a number of key community objectives.
"The West Coast Eagles has a very strong commitment to the community and devotes a number of resources to ensure we make a difference," Mr Nisbett said. "The Kicking Goals program is a key plank in those programs and we are delighted with the statistics that support the reports we are receiving from the field.
"The game of football provides a range of invaluable community benefits from improving health and well-being, to encouraging social integration and facilitating healthier lifestyles."
Today's youth are our future both on and off the field. Both the West Coast Eagles and BHP Billiton Iron Ore realise that the popularity of AFL among the younger generation makes it a valuable tool in engaging with youth to achieve positive educational and lifestyle outcomes through sport.
