Eleven students from Nowra enjoyed a week long Indigenous leadership program in Manly, hosted by country children’s health charity Royal Far West and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
The leadership camp, which was held from 30 April- 5 May, provided critical mentoring and education support to the young community leaders, including through a range of motivational, recreation and health education sessions.
With the underlying and consistent theme of the week’s activities being about building leadership and negotiation skills, students achieved their learning not only in the classroom but through surf lessons, drug and alcohol awareness activities, hip hop workshops as well as public speaking training. They also attended a Sea Eagles home game and training session throughout the week and had a chance to mix with their heroes and mentors, Manly Warringah’s very own Sea Eagles.
Royal Far West CEO Lindsay Cane said the camp aimed to build on the organisation’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the health, wellbeing and life skills of Indigenous young people.
“These youth leadership camps are so special. They not only deliver vital health education, but they support students to identify their own personal goals for themselves and their communities and encourage them to be more active in leading their communities to good health.
“We look forward to seeing these students become strong community leaders on the NSW South Coast.”
CEO of Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Joe Kelly echoed this sentiment saying, “We have a longstanding relationship with Royal Far West and we both continue to work together to assist to grow leaders in Indigenous communities.
“The camp is a reward to the students who display improved behaviours, increased school attendance and who have shown improved commitment to their community in the past year.”
Royal Far West and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have previously delivered a number of camps together focussed on Indigenous leadership, healthy living and diabetes education. The 2016 Indigenous Leadership Camp is supported by the NRL All Stars Club Funding Program.