40 Young Leaders formed the inaugural graduating class of the Western Bulldogs affiliated Whitten Project last night, held at the Victoria University Whitten Oval.
The eight month program aimed to engage and develop the next generation of community leaders in the Bulldogs heartland, integrating elite sport and values of life-long learning, fair play, respect and health.
Made up of year nine and ten students hailing from five local council areas - Maribyrnong, Melton, Hobsons Bay, Moonee Valley and Brimbank – the Whitten Project involved 16 sessions including a community leadership project in their respective area, an AFL 9s game at Etihad Stadium and leadership talks from key personnel in the Bulldogs football and administration.
The graduation event culminated in the annual YIMA (You Inspire Me Award) which recognises a student who has made an outstanding contribution to the project, presented to Melton Council representative Jack Bartkowicz.
“Jack is respectful, courteous and consistently helps set the mood and the focus of the group,” Whitten Project Manager Nathan Bibby said.
“He does not always need to be out the front of the group. He is able to let others take the lead and he will still be there to support and encourage others, knowing what the group is trying to achieve.
“Jack has been an example for the rest of the group. He has been able to explore what leadership means to him and identify how he would like to lead others in the future.”
The peer-nominated award holds significant meaning, originating from the project’s namesake Ted Whitten Snr who famously said to his players as coach of the Footscray Football Club “You’ve gotta inspire me”.
Whitten was not only a Premiership player, captain and coach of the Footscray Football Club but will forever be remembered for his leadership, courage, fighting spirit, conviction, and was an inspiration in football and the community.
Bartkowicz was nominated by his fellow Young Leaders for consistently embodying the Whitten Project values and leading through his actions, while still being encouraging and inclusive.
This unique initiative is delivered in partnership with Maribyrnong, Melton, Moonee Valley, Hobsons Bay and Brimbank councils, the AFL, AFL Victoria, SportsWest and the State Government with support from Victoria University and the Western Region Football League (WRFL).
