The West Coast Eagles program, in partnership with the Wirrpanda Foundation and BHP Billiton, is targeted at Indigenous students from years eight to 10 and is a six-session values-based leadership program, focusing on developing leadership on the topics of cultural identity, goal setting, teamwork, diabetes and alcohol.
The first five sessions are held at the participating school, while the sixth and final session is set aside to reward students for their participation and involves a visit to the West Coast Eagles Football Club and tour through the facilities of the ‘inner sanctum’.
This program is an interactive education-through-sport program which aims to equip participants with valuable life skills and deliver positive health, lifestyle and educational messages.
This visit was conducted by West Coast Eagles Community Engagement Coordinator James Grabski and Wirrpanda Foundation mentor Troy Cook, along with West Coast Eagles players Josh Hill and Nic Naitanui who were guest speakers for the lucky students.
Hill, whose role as AFL Indigenous Ambassador sees him dedicate time to the Wirrpanda Foundation and other West Coast Eagles Indigenous programs throughout the year, says it was great to see the students enjoying the sessions so much.
“It’s wonderful to see the students enjoying the program so much, because it’s a program we take very seriously and put a lot of effort into,” said Hill.
“We’re extremely privileged that BHP Billiton sponsors all our community programs so that we’re able to deliver them to the community for free.
“The amount of work the community team puts into all of their programs is unbelievable, I’m blown away when I hear about it.
“So a big thank you must go to those guys, but also to BHP Billiton as without their support none of this would be possible.”
