The Whitten Project Young Leaders commenced their Community Leadership Project last week, with the aim of utilising their acquired skills and knowledge in a practical environment to benefit their local community.
The Whitten Project is an initiative that has been developed by the Western Bulldogs and the AFL in partnership with local municipalities of the western suburbs, to engage young leaders in their community and develop their leadership potential through the vehicle of sport - primarily football.
The 40 Young Leaders have been nominated from five local council areas in Melbourne’s west including, Melton, Maribyrnong, Moonee Valley, Hobsons Bay and Brimbank and will focus on their local area in the project.
The Community Leadership Project has been designed to develop and apply the Young Leaders’ civic leadership and communication skills in a practical environment by engaging local sports and community organisations.
Sport and Community Clubs For All is the theme for the Community Leadership Project, allowing the young leaders to identify potential social issues that can arise within a sporting or community club.
Young Leaders are encouraged to identify and address a range of issues including cultural diversity, gender equality, sexual orientation, disability, health and safety, volunteerism and community infrastructure.
The Whitten Project participants, who are current grade nine and ten students, will visit a community or sporting club to research and identify an issue within the organisation that they would like to address.
Completion of the Community Leadership Project will provide the young leaders an understanding of social issues and civic responsibility, analytical skills and research methods, and develop problem solving, team skills in planning, decision making, oral presentation and written communication skills.
The young leaders will also be given the opportunity to present their final reports and outcomes to their respective council, allowing the chance to receive invaluable feedback.
The Community Leadership Project will run over the remaining six month period of The Whitten Project.
