The final Kicking Goals trip for 2010 took place yesterday with West Coast captain Darren Glass and premiership spearhead Quinten Lynch making the trip up to the Pilbara to visit senior high school students from Newman and Hedland.

Focussing on improving life skills, school attendance, academic achievement as well as the health and well-being of young children in the Pilbara region, participants of the Kicking Goals program were given the responsibility of running a super clinic for primary aged children with Glass and Lynch on hand to offer advice and reinforce key messages of the program.

Making his first visit to Newman Senior High School for the year, Eagles captain Glass says the Kicking Goals initiative has played an important role in producing some positive outcomes for students.

“It is a great program and the support shown by BHP Billiton Iron Ore for the work we are doing here really does make a difference to these kids.

“You can see how much they respond to the advice we offer and how excited they are to be a part of it,” Glass said

The Kicking Goals program is a unique partnership between the West Coast Eagles, BHP Billiton Iron Ore and the Swan Districts Football Club that uses sports-based initiatives to help Pilbara communities achieve better educational and employment outcomes.

Since its inception in 2005, Kicking Goals continues to deliver impressive academic and social results for both Pilbara towns.

• Attendance records of Indigenous students at Hedland Senior High School almost 6% better than state average.

• School truancy is at its lowest level in years.

• There has been a marked reduction in antisocial behaviour.

• Criminal activity has dropped by 53% in Port Hedland.

• Literacy and numeracy for indigenous students has improved by 64% at Newman Senior High School.

The program involves coaching clinics, videoconference sessions, email and telephone exchanges between players and students as well as various other activities throughout the year and with the positive results the program has been able to achieve, it has ensured the continued support from West Coast and their principal community partner BHP Billiton Iron Ore.