Our local footy favourites, the Western Bulldogs, have embarked on a second year of their GOAL Mentoring Program after a successful inaugural year. It is a free program offered to local, African Australians aged 13-15.
The program aims to build a sense of community and help individuals develop their personal skills.
It also provides access to information on employment and training. Implemented under the African Action Plan, which was developed in 2018, the GOAL program provides support and encourages local community engagement through pairing youth with a Western Bulldogs player and a community mentor.
The 10-week online program aims to broaden the community focus of the West, in connecting young people with successful AFL players, AFLW players and Community Mentors from the broader western Melbourne community, both African and non-African.
Through a diverse education program, young people will be provided with a unique learning opportunity through interactive leadership activities to identify goals, meet new people and connect with their cultures.
Last year’s participants highlighted the sense of community that the program inspired.
“The idea of community means like…coming…all the people coming together, as…doesn’t matter what colour you are, doesn’t matter what person you are, just coming together,” said one participant.
The GOAL program will still go ahead this year but will be in an online format because of coronavirus, held over Zoom.
