The West Coast Eagles are pleased to announce an expanded partnership with BHP.
The Youth Engagement partnership will further strengthen an already longstanding and successful relationship, which has achieved significant community and social outcomes over the past 15 years.
The Youth Engagement partnership will focus on youth and female engagement, as well as Indigenous reconciliation, utilising strong and positive role models from within the West Coast Eagles AFL, AFLW and community and game development programs.
The objective – using the conduit of sport and the well-established West Coast Eagles brand and suite of community and game development programs – is to support and harness local organisations, programs and activities and build capacity within the community.
Through a highly collaborative approach, the aim is to promote and enhance education, health, diversity, participation and positive lifestyle messages, providing opportunities to empower youth to tackle challenges with confidence.
The flagship of this partnership is the recruitment of a Pilbara-based West Coast Eagles Youth Engagement Coordinator, who will utilise their skill set and experience to both elevate and enhance existing youth engagement activities and opportunities which occur outside of school-based programs.
The Youth Engagement Coordinator will be based in Port Hedland, while also attending to Newman and the broader Pilbara community.
It has been identified that there is a strong desire for meaningful youth engagement within these BHP host communities, and this partnership is also a commitment which will provide a multitude of opportunities to further drive existing youth engagement programs, and provide outlets for disconnected and disengaged youth, from lifestyle skills to leadership.
General Manager of Community and Game Development Richard O’Connell is excited by the prospect of this Youth Engagement partnership with BHP.
“West Coast Eagles and BHP have proudly worked in partnership for over a decade to improve social outcomes in the Pilbara under a FIFO model,” O’Connell said.
“The evolution of this partnership will now see a permanent employee living in the Pilbara. We are incredibly excited to be based in the engine room of the country’s economy, working hand in hand with local groups to engage with young people, support volunteer and coach development.
“This dedicated appointment has been identified as a potential catalyst to explore appropriate support to other regional and remote communities across WA.”
BHP Head of Corporate Affairs, Meath Hammond said Pilbara youth would benefit from the appointment of a local Youth Engagement Coordinator, through providing them with opportunities to fulfil their potential and overcome life challenges.
“It’s important to BHP that we support the communities and people who support us,” Mr Hammond said.
“Through BHP‘s partnership with the West Coast Eagles, we aim to develop social benefits and future opportunities, enriching the lives of young people in the Pilbara.”
