The threat of rain at the MCG wasn’t enough to dampen the spirits of a special group of Western Bulldogs supporters sitting in the Great Southern Stand on Saturday.
As part of the LeasePlan Western Bulldogs community match day visit, SpiritWest Services FRESH students invited employees from High Point Industries to the game against Brisbane through the SCOPE Young Ambassador Program.
The SCOPE initiative is aimed at raising awareness in youth about people with a disability as a way of increasing opportunity within the community for them. High Point Industries is a supported employment facility for people with disabilities and their employees have been visited by VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) students as part of a personal development unit through their studies with FRESH.
As part of the LeasePlan Western Bulldogs community match day visit, SpiritWest Services FRESH students invited employees from High Point Industries to the game against Brisbane through the SCOPE Young Ambassador Program.
The SCOPE initiative is aimed at raising awareness in youth about people with a disability as a way of increasing opportunity within the community for them. High Point Industries is a supported employment facility for people with disabilities and their employees have been visited by VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) students as part of a personal development unit through their studies with FRESH.
After meeting employees from High Point Industries through a series of workshops, students decided that a trip to the football would help create a greater relationship with their new friends and further assist development in the community.
Six students, 40 employees and representatives from the Western Bulldogs, Victoria Police and City West Water attended the game. For most of the new Bulldogs fans it was the first time they had ever been to the MCG to watch an AFL match.
Six students, 40 employees and representatives from the Western Bulldogs, Victoria Police and City West Water attended the game. For most of the new Bulldogs fans it was the first time they had ever been to the MCG to watch an AFL match.
“Participating in the Scope Young Ambassadors program taught me that people with a disability can still lead normal lives. Going to the footy together is an opportunity to promote inclusion in a mainstream social event.”
The delight on the faces of both students and employees beamed even brighter under the MCG lights as the Bulldogs ran away with a 63-point win.
The match visit was made possible by the Western Bulldogs in conjunction with community partner Victoria Police who provided a police bus to transport everyone to and from the game.
