As the official charity of the AFL Players Association, players contribute $25 from every senior match, totalling $1.4 million in donations since 2008, but some players, like Mitch Wallis and Jordan Roughead take it one step further.

Ladder was established in 2007 by three AFL players who wanted to do more to tackle youth homelessness, and they do that through projects, events and campaigns to raise awareness.

Players like Wallis, Roughead and others support Ladder staff by acting as mentors, advocates and volunteers.

Wallis, 24, speaking to Beyondthegame.tv as part of a short documentary called My Life As… A Ladder Ambassador, said that youth homelessness has no place in modern society.

“I think in this day and age, no youth or young people should be at risk of being homeless,” he said.  

“I’m very fortunate to be in the environment I am of playing AFL footy, so I feel it’s on me to make a difference and help out where I can.”

Teammate Jordan Roughead said that what people don’t realise is that it’s not just the people you see on the street who are affected by homelessness.

“What I didn’t realise is that homelessness can be young kids who are couch surfing at their friends houses or living in the backs of cars.

“It’s not just the people you see on the street, it’s also the people you don’t see or aren’t really aware of.”

Ladder is an independent not-for-profit organisation.  To find out more, click here.