Students Adam and Gary are well on their way to finishing school and becoming strong leaders in their communities, thanks to a little guidance from Crows legend Andrew McLeod.
The two are among a number of students who are currently taking part in our Future Leaders program which provides mentoring and educational support to students in years 11 and 12.
Led by McLeod and his wife Rachael, the Future Leaders program is one of a suite of Indigenous programs run under the McLeod Centre of Excellence in partnership with the Adelaide Football Club.
Through the program, students are provided with the opportunity to further their studies by completing a Certificate III in Business, thereby receiving further credits towards their South Australian Certificate of Education.
However, the program offers much more than that, it provides students with weekly educational support, promotes employment opportunities and pathways, and facilitates leadership skill development, as students act as peer mentors for year 10 students participating in the Indigenous Youth Leadership program.
It also facilitates new friendships and provides once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as the opportunity to toss the coin before the Club’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash, which was recently afforded to Adam.
A Woodville High School student, Adam completed a Certificate II in Business as part of the Indigenous Youth Leadership program and jumped at the chance to take part in the follow-up program 12 months later.
“It’s great to have the knowledge from the program but we also go out and kick the footy and have jokes,” he said.
“Working with Andrew and the group is really inspiring and helpful.
“They teach us a lot of things as well as business.
“We tell each other stuff, spin yarns and tell stories. It’s about connecting.”
Gary, who hails from Ceduna and boards at Westminster, agrees that one of the best things about the program is the new networks and connections.
“It’s a different environment – everyone’s friendly, supportive – back home you don’t have that,” Gary said.
“The discussions and talking to the other people in the classroom are great.
“And there are a lot of sports and opportunities.”
Over the past six years, around 200 students have participated in the program as part of the McLeods’ vision to help close the gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage.
The Youth Leadership and Future Leaders programs are delivered in partnership with training provider Carey Training, which is 100 percent Indigenous owned and operated.
