The Western Bulldogs’ affiliated WynBay Power team was given a unique opportunity recently, to train with former Collingwood player Gavin Crosisca on Whitten Oval and hear about his experiences rebounding from adversity.

Crosisca has openly discussed his past issues with drugs and alcohol throughout his playing days and has now dedicated much of his time to addressing disadvantaged young people.

While Crosisca can normally be found coaching the Salvation Army Hawks in the Challenge Cup, he took time out to share his wisdom about football and life with the WynBay team – a session that Power coach Scott Sutton said was highly beneficial.

“Through the Future Captains Program we are running with the Western Bulldogs, the team was lucky enough to be given the chance to have a tour of the Whitten Oval facilities and train on the hallowed turf, with a session run by ex AFL player Gavin Crosisca (Coach of the Salvation Army Hawks),” Sutton said.

“Gavin spoke to the players about his own struggles with drugs and alcohol.”

As part of the training session, the Power team were also given the opportunity to utilise the Bulldogs’ facilities in the Mission Elite Learning Centre, looking at highlights and clippings of their last hitout to analyse and review their game.

“The highlight for the team was being able to utilise the Western Bulldogs football department’s theatre room, where we showed actual footage of a game they had played the previous week and highlight some good passages of play and also showed some areas to improve,” he said.

“The players then went out onto the ground put some of those ideas into practice.”

WynBay Power is a community football team that aims to engage and motivate disadvantaged young people through the vehicle of football.

Currently undefeated in the Challenge Cup competition, the WynBay Power team will train at the Whitten Oval Community Sports hall on Wednesday 26 June 2013, as well as participating in a unique education and self-improvement session.