Two-time AFL premiership player Lewis Jetta and West Coast Eagles Community & Game Development staff James Grabski and Zac Fitzgerald recently spent three days in the beautiful community of Exmouth, thanks to Inclusion and Diversity Partner BHP.

The visit, arranged in collaboration with the Shire of Exmouth, enabled the West Coast Eagles contingent to deliver a suite of education programs at Exmouth District High School, and also host a number of skills clinics for Auskick, Junior and Youth boys and girls.

The first event saw around 80 excited and eager primary school-aged children participate in a ‘Superclinic’ held in partnership with the Exmouth Eagles Football Club.

The participants (and a fair share of parents) took part in a series of fun activities at Talanjee Oval, where they were introduced to some exciting new drills and activities with an emphasis on fun and fundamental skill development.

Attendees were also treated to a rare opportunity to gain some expert advice from Jetta about playing footy for enjoyment and as a way to connect with people from all different backgrounds.

“Whether it’s at the elite AFL level or your first Auskick session, footy is about enjoyment and connecting with people” said Jetta.

“There are so many life skills and benefits of playing footy, but ultimately you should always remember to play for fun.”

With plenty of hype created within the town, the group spent the following day at Exmouth District High School to deliver a range of the club’s quality education programs, starting with Eagles Rock My School.

Whilst Jetta thought he was going to be the star again, the focus was quickly shifted when ever-popular club mascot, Rick the Rock, flew in to steal the show.

Rick and the team educated the primary school students on the importance of maintaining their physical, emotional and social health, developing positive relationships and displaying resilience when challenges arise.

Following Rick’s stellar performance, the team conducted a series of Eagle Insight workshops, giving more than 50 students an insight into elite training requirements and leadership development.

Jetta’s 11 years of experience in the AFL system provided students with a comprehensive perspective on each topic and advice to inspire their development.

Exmouth District High School Physical Education teacher Jessica Dixon described the club’s workshops as “dynamic and interesting”.

“The main messages of having a good diet and plenty of water, working hard on your fitness and skills, being on time and organised and having good friends and support to enable resilient behaviour was a message that every student needs to hear,” Dixon said.

“It resonated with the younger and older students alike. The presentation was relevant, powerful and for some of students, will be quite life changing.”

The three-day visit culminated with the team delivering separate training sessions for 30 youth boys and 14 youth girls respectively from the Exmouth Eagles Football Club.

Exmouth Eagles Football Club President Ethan Mollross said the players were thrilled to learn some skills from the silky Jetta.

“For any sport to have your heroes come to your town is pretty special, but to have the biggest club in WA come to a small town like Exmouth was massive,” Mollross said.

“It stoked the fire that is football and instilled a belief in the kids that they can make it too.

“The training sessions were great for the young players and very informative for the coaches we have in town.

“The girls training session was a huge success and has definitely helped with the growing strength of female football in the region.

“Lewis Jetta was great with the kids and his down to earth personality really struck a chord with the country kids.”

In-between community engagements within Exmouth, the team was also able to find an opportunity to venture out and explore the beauty of World Heritage listed Ningaloo reef.

“It was my first visit to Exmouth, and snorkelling at Turquoise Bay was amazing,” Jetta said.

“As much as I loved seeing the reef sharks, I always positioned myself in-between James and Zac just in case one of them got hungry.

“Overall it’s been a really enjoyable and meaningful visit to Exmouth, and we are really appreciative to have the support of BHP to give us this opportunity.”