Essendon players and staff attended the Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy Dinner in Darwin this week.

As part of the program, students from the Academy travelled to Darwin for a week-long camp.

The program was formed to help kids from around Australia to create education and leadership pathways, network with full-time workers, elite athletes and build goals for the future.

The children, aged from high school students to University students, enjoyed dinner with the Essendon players which included a Q&A from Aunty Pam Pedersen, Ian Goolagong and Raymond Vigar.

The Essendon players shared their stories and pathways to success, and the importance of education and health no matter what your dream might be.

“One of the key aspects of our program is to share experiences in a relaxed setting and allowing everyone involved to communicate their stories,” Anglicare Victoria Indigenous Leadership Academy/Youth Engagement Manager, David Law, said.

“It was really important to have the players involved and to sit amongst the young people, talk respectively and show the young people that they are not anything other than human beings. 

“They should never underestimate the importance of spending time with young people, the intention has to be well and it has to be genuine, and the players did that last night.

“This program allows the kids to meet the people behind a number of jobs and learn about their journey and learn from each unique experience about how they got to where they are, including the struggles and the different pathways. 

“We help them discover their passion and with that we help them build their academic journey.

“We want to make sure each person is proud of their heritage and know they should have high aspirations for their future.”