Twenty six young men from the Newport Islamic Society (NIS) recently attended a Youth Leadership Camp in Anglesea to further develop their communication and leadership skills as part of the Western Bulldogs’ More Than a Game program.
The aim of the Camp was to further develop the young people’s leadership, communication and social participation skills through a variety of practical activities and professional development workshops conducted in enjoyable and supportive environments.
Aged 14 to 25 years, the young men from Hobsons Bay took part in leadership, conflict resolution communication and cyber safety training in between learning new skills and building confidence through surfing, canoeing and a high ropes course.
The three day camp was run with the assistance of Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) with the conflict resolution workshop posing as a highlight.
A role reversal activity where the young men took on the role as a police officer tested participants new knowledge in communication and negotiation techniques and gave them a valuable insight into just how difficult being a police officer can be.
The Camp marks the mid-way point of the More than a Game project with the NIS already having engaged in the 2011 Football for Harmony clinic, Peace Dialogue with the AFL Peace Team and forming the MUJU Peace Club (a combined Muslim and Jewish youth football team).
Following on from the Camp, the young people’s focus will now switch to football with training for the 2012 Unity Cup underway.
The Western Bulldogs will be represented by the Newport Islamic Society, Bialik College and the MUJU Peace Club.
More Than a Game is funded by the Federal Attorney General’s Building Community Resilience program with support from the AFP, Victoria Police and Hobsons Bay City Council.
