FREMANTLEDOCKERSSPORT, BUSINESSANDLEADERSHIPPROGRAM

This was the first year the Purple Hands Foundation and Fremantle Football Club partnered with SEDA Group for the Fremantle Dockers Sport, Business and Leadership Program The first year was incredibly successful with more than 20 Fremantle staff delivering industry experiential workshops online and in person In addition, FFC and PHF were able to provide the students with:

40+ workshops across the year covering a range of topics linked to curriculum and leadership from staff Practical placement opportunities for seven students across a range of departments (Next Generation Academy, Communications & Community)

The opportunity to deliver major projects in Broome, Geraldton, Bunbury and for metro special education schools contributing to the reach and connection points with the community for PHF and FFC

This mutual beneficial partnership enabled the students to participate in several PHF programs and activities across the year

One of these experiences was with PHF partner WA All Abilities Football Association (WAAAFA) WAAAFA exists to provide the opportunity for people with a disability to be involved and participate in Australian football like every other Australian Fourteen Diploma students had the opportunity to work alongside WAAAFA to support the implementation of the inaugural Blind Football Competition held at Cockburn ARC This was an incredible learning experience for the students who were able to work with the team at WAAAFA and learn from some of the most experienced coaches in the disability sector

As part of the Dual Diploma course, students were allocated a Major Project that aligns with implementing the strategic activities of the Fremantle Football Club Each student fundraised, designed and implemented a project that brought together the extensive sport and business skills they learnt throughout the year The projects were developed in collaboration with PHF and FFC and key partners of the Foundation and the Club FFC staff mentored the students and worked closely to build their confidence to engage with stakeholders, manage the operations of a regional trip and deal with challenges that arose throughout the projects One of the projects that was implemented was the Starkick Carnival

Starkickcarnival

The inaugural Starkick Carnival was held at Ernest Johnson Reserve in October, 2022 The carnival was the first interschool education support football carnival The project was a partnership between Starkick, Sport, Business and Leadership Program, Purple Hands Foundation and Fremantle Football Club The Starkick Carnival hosted 120 participants from six education support schools in the metropolitan area for a nine-aside footy competition.

A team of six SEDA students organised the day with support from Starkick and FFC The students raised $5,000 for the event through a sausage sizzle and auction The day was an incredibly rewarding experience for the SEDA students, and they were able to develop the operational and relationship building skills to create a football carnival with multiple stakeholders The carnival, in partnership with Starkick, will now be held each year as a Sport, Business and Leadership Program major project

"When we awarded the participant the Values Award for his contribution to the carnival and showing the carnival values, seeing the biggest smile on his face was an incredibly rewarding experience "

Liam Khan, Sport, Business and Leadership Program Student

"The outcomes for the inaugural year together for all stakeholders was beyond expectations and is a great platform for future growth As an organisation we are appreciative to be an industry partner and we look forward to our relationship growing over the journey "

Michael Beer, Operations and Student Experience Coordinator, SEDA Group