The duo made the trip as part of the club’s Kicking Goals program, run in conjunction with BHP Billiton and Swan Districts Football Club.
Bennell paid a visit to students at Newman Senior High School, while Dick headed to Hedland Senior High School.
Bennell says it was a terrific trip to a wonderful part of WA.
“Going up north and meeting the students in Newman was great,” he said.
“I know when I was younger, I always looked forward to visits from my favourite team like this. So it’s great to be able to head up and spend some time.
“It’s funny, sometimes the fans who get to see you the least are the most passionate.
“The program itself is sensational, we all enjoy the clinics and games, but there’s also the important messages like living an active lifestyle.”
Kicking Goals is one of Australia’s largest regional based AFL mentoring programs, combining sport-based initiatives to help high school students in the Pilbara towns of Port Hedland and Newman achieve better educational and employment outcomes.
The program is a curriculum-based initiative that utilises a reward and incentive system, where students are required to maintain certain key performance indicators to stay in the program and be eligible for various incentives, including visits by West Coast Eagles players.
West Coast Eagles players and staff make 10 visits to the Pilbara every year as part of the Kicking Goals program, where they conduct motivational talks and football clinics with students.
The West Coast Eagles would like to thank its principal community partner BHP Billiton for making Kicking Goals possible.
