Wests Tigers Empower commences operations this week as the club prioritises its effort to make a profound difference in the community.
Wests Tigers Empower
A key area of focus of Wests Tigers Empower will be addressing the issues of youth unemployment and domestic violence in the Inner West and Southwest of Sydney.
Attending today’s official launch were 50 special guests, including Foundation 13 members who have helped provide the club with the resources to establish a pilot program for Wests Tigers Empower.
Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson and assistant coach John Morris joined captain Apisai Koroisau at the launch, explaining to guests exactly how the Wests Tigers Empower program will be delivered in schools within the club’s vast catchment area.
Six schools will launch the club’s pilot programs, with the delivery of these programs tailored to the individual needs of the respective school and its students.
These pilot programs will provide support and resources for kids at risk to help them achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
The three core pilot programs of Wests Tigers Empower are:
Stripes of Success
The focus of this program is on developing leadership skills, with tasks provided to help students learn the behaviours of success.
Classroom to Careers
This program provides kids with careers advice and direction, with a focus on students who are not looking to complete their HSC or receive an ATAR.
Healthy Relationships & Community
This program starts the conversation about what healthy relationships are and how to prevent long-term gender-based violence.
Wests Tigers Empower has formulated a three-year strategy. The program is designed to become self-sustainable with a funding goal in excess of $2M.
Wests Tigers General Manager of Community, Foundation & Affiliates, Shaun Mielekamp, says educating and empowering the next generation is critical to the club’s community engagement strategy.
“It’s such an important part of Wests Tigers strategic plan to make sure that we’ve got an outreach program that gets into schools and makes a difference,” said Mielekamp.
“The big difference of Wests Tigers Empower compared to our previous community programs is that it is a standalone entity, a fresh brand and a fresh approach to getting into schools.
These programs aren’t about rugby league, they’re about leadership, careers, goal-setting, healthy relationships and prevention of domestic violence.
Shaun Mielekamp General Manager of Community, Foundation & Affiliates
“This is a really exciting opportunity for us.”
To learn more about Wests Tigers Empower click here
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