Fremantle Dockers Sport Development students are presented with some amazing opportunities during their time at SEDA. For Jesse Tippet, Elaura Wilkinson and Brandon Donaldson, they have been able to further their leadership skills, grow in confidence and have some serious fun through programs supported by and run by the Freo Dockers.
Jesse Tippet set a new challenge for himself, inspiring kids to be more physically active. Jesse planned and organised a SEDA Fremantle Dockers Afterschool Program at St Patrick’s Primary School in Fremantle.
The program took place over six weeks, running Thursdays after school from 3.30-4.30pm in Term Two; aiming to increase physical activity levels of students at the school whilst building participation in and knowledge of AFL. Each week was themed with examples including goal setting, teamwork and respect.
The program had 30 participants in total. The Fremantle Dockers were in full support of the program, with four first-year players attending the session in its first week.
Jesse is in his second year of the SEDA Fremantle Dockers Sport Development program. The organisation and delivery of the after school program was an additional challenge that saw him further his workplace skills. Jesse’s efforts are to be commended; “I designed the six-week lesson plan myself, including contacting Fremantle FC asking for extra equipment,” he said.
Jesse has experienced many highlights over the weeks, including experiencing what it is like to run an on-going program, being able to take a managerial role and looking after 30 primary school students. “Seeing the smiles on the children's faces meant that I was doing a good job. I received a lot of positive feedback from St. Patrick’s Primary School Principal and Vice Principal,” he said.
Elaura Wilkinson and Brandon Donaldson have also been provided with the amazing opportunity of taking part in the 2014 Fremantle Dockers Live the Dream program. Live the Dream provides students with the appointment of a player mentor, including one-on-one interactive sessions. The program also provides leadership development training, physical and skills sessions, media training and game day involvement. Live the Dream aims to develop team work and leadership skills, develop problem solving skills under pressure and provide participants with experiences that take them outside of their comfort zone.
The Live the Dream program commenced on Friday 11 July with Fremantle players Paul Duffield, Tommy Sheridan, Hayden Crozier (SEDA Ambassador), Stephen Hill, Chris Mayne, Nick Suban, Zac Clarke and Colin Sylvia as the participant’s mentors. Elaura, Brandon
and the other Live the Dream participants enjoyed their first night with their eight player mentors at a team building session. Elaura and Brandon were also given the opportunity to tour Fremantle headquarters and Patersons Stadium, test their fitness at a boot camp session at the Irwin Army Barracks and participate in a leadership and health and wellbeing training session.
For Elaura, she believed the Live the Dream experience would assist in building numerous life skills. “I can improve my own teamwork and leadership skills and then be able to take back to my peers what I have learnt throughout the journey,” she said. “I consider leaders to be the type of people who listen to others’ ideas and display a positive and determined attitude towards the classroom and all community groups,” she said.
Brandon also saw Live the Dream as an opportunity to develop his leadership skills. “It will provide me with opportunities to improve my communication and teamwork skills,” he said. “I am excited that this program will help me develop my leadership skills and confidence so that I can take these skills back to my school and football club and act as a positive role model.”
Applications for the SEDA programs are now open. Visit www.sedagroup.com.au for more information or email info@sedagroup.com.au
