The West Coast Eagles' Kicking Goals program was recognised at the Public Relations Institute of Australia Awards for Excellence, which were held at the Perth Arena last week.

The program, which is a combined effort between BHP Billiton, the Swan Districts Football Club and the West Coast Eagles, was recognised as the winner of the Community Relations category in WA.

West Coast Eagles General Manager of Marketing, Tony Haselhurst, says the club is thrilled with the honour.

“In partnership with BHP Billiton, our Eagles in the Community team is delighted to receive this award. The West Coast Eagles Football Club receives amazing support from the Western Australian community and we are very serious about our contribution back,” Haselhurst said.

“We would like to thank our principal community partner BHP Billiton for their fantastic support and together we look forward to growing these programs into the future.”

The program combines sport-based initiatives to help high school students in the Pilbara towns of Port Hedland and Newman. BHP Billiton, Swan Districts, the West Coast Eagles Football Club and local high schools partner to deliver Kicking Goals which is one of Australia’s largest regional AFL mentoring programs.

The program is delivered to students in years eight to 12, and offers them the chance to develop expertise in the football industry, including coaching, umpiring and certificates in first-aid. Students are encouraged to utilise these skills to volunteer in the community and support the growth of football participation in the Pilbara.

Richard O'Connell, Head of Indigenous and Community Affairs at BHP Billiton, says the objective of the program is to enrich the lives of young Western Australians.

"Through the strategic expansion of the West Coast Eagles partnership, the education based programs delivered by the club has grown from initially supporting 90 students to now more than 120,000 students at 600 schools in Western Australia each year," O'Connell said.

Through the Kicking Goals program, participants get the opportunity to meet their football heroes with West Coast Eagles players and staff visiting the towns 10 times a year. Students also have the chance to be eligible for other incentives such as football trips and the opportunity to take part in curtain raiser matches before West Coast fixtures at Patersons Stadium.

The West Coast Eagles would like to thank its principal community partner BHP Billiton for making the Kicking Goals program possible.