Former West Coast Eagles captain Darren Glass has become a goal-kicker in retirement!

Not on the field obviously, but recently Glass headed to Newman Senior High School as a part of the Kicking Goals Program, a joint initiative between the West Coast Eagles, Swan Districts Football Club and BHP Billiton.

Kicking Goals is one of Australia’s largest regional based AFL mentoring programs, combining sport-based initiatives to help high school students in the Western Australia 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 region every year as part of the Kicking Goals program, where they conduct motivational talks and football clinics with students.

Glass’ visit focussed on AFL players and their dealings with the media, which was extremely beneficial to the students who are currently undertaking media classes. The day kicked off with the mock press-conference, with the year nine students ‘grilling’ Glass on his career, particularly the 2006 premiership, and his recent decision to retire.

Glass says he was particularly impressed with the standard of questions and the initiative shown by the students throughout the session.

“The kids were great, it was almost like I was back into the routine of media conferences back when I was playing,” he said with a smile.

“They asked some great questions, some that I’d never been asked before, so to see them really think about what they were asking, and even follow up with more questions to delve a little deeper was fantastic to see.”

After a few more class visits, it was time for the awards assembly, where Glass was the guest of honour, he spoke to the whole school about his career pathway, the studies he undertook while playing and his plans for the short and long-term future.

He touched on of goal-setting, work-life balance, and the importance of continuing his studies whilst he played his 270 AFL games.

After spending the school day at Newman Senior High School, Glass paid a visit to the Polly Farmer Foundation, an after-school learning centre dedicated to aspiring Indigenous students.

Glass found this session particularly fulfilling, and said it was great to see such a high attendance and so much enthusiasm for learning.

“That was a great part of the day,” Glass said.

“The kids there had so much passion to learn, and to listen.

“I really enjoyed that, it was a great way to end the day.

“The Kicking Goals program has been so successful over the years, the students seem to get a lot out of it and enjoy the time we spend together.

“I had a great day in Newman, it’s a terrific part of the state filled with wonderful people.”

The West Coast Eagles would like to thank its Principal Community Partner BHP Billiton for making the Kicking Goals program possible.