In 2013, the West Coast Eagles, in partnership with the David Wirrpanda Foundation and BHP Billiton, are delighted to expand the BHP Billiton Indigenous Leadership Program.

The six-session program, focuses on promoting the ‘the five Rs’ value system: respect yourself, respect others, respect your environment, reach out into your community and reach your potential, to selected group of years eight to ten Indigenous high school students in metropolitan Western Australia.  

Speaking at Lockridge Senior High School, West Coast Eagles Community Engagement Coordinator, Sam Alexeeff says the program continued to be a huge success.

“It’s wonderful to see a program we take so seriously and put so much time into delivering well, strike a chord with the students everywhere we go,” said Alexeeff.

“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.

“Without their invaluable support, programs like this and other programs that the club delivers wouldn’t be possible.”

Supported by guest presenters from the West Coast Eagles, fellow David Wirrpanda Foundation mentors and driven by West Coast Eagles Indigenous Liason Officer Phil Narkle, the interactive education-thought-sport program aims to equip participants with valuable life skills and deliver positive health, lifestyle and educational messages.

Former AFL star Troy Cook, who was on hand throughout various sessions during the year, says it’s a vital program for the education and development of young indigenous people across the state.

“It’s really important that they learn from a pretty young age how to look after themselves, it’s all about education,” Cook said.

“It’s a great way for the kids to engage, and make it pretty interactive.

“The kids seem to have plenty of fun with it, so it’s great.”