The Western Bulldogs GOAL Mentoring program is a FREE dynamic mentoring program for young people from an African cultural background aged 12-17 years old, living in Melbourne’s West.

The 10-session program aims to create a culturally safe and empowering environment in connecting young people with successful AFL players, AFLW players and Community Mentors from the broader western Melbourne community, both African and non-African.

The focus of this program is on a mentoring approach to support participants’ personal development, self-confidence and goal setting.

"[The program] helped me feel more confident in my own skin as a black girl, learning more about myself, my culture, being more prideful in that."

- 2023 participant

"I feel like I'm more outspoken than I use to be. I speak more, I'm more confident."

- 2023 participant

The Program will start in the July school holidays with sessions delivered across term 3 into the September holidays, with each workshop focused on developing a range of life skills that work towards shaping strong, community minded young leaders. Participants are exposed to diverse education and physical activity programs that provide them with a unique learning opportunity through interactive leadership activities and excursions. Participants will also meet new people, connect with their cultures as well as engage and hear from positive role models. 

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How to register to be a participant

Due to the popularity of the GOAL Mentoring Program, candidates must apply to participate by completing an online nomination form.’

To nominate, please click here.

Nominations can be completed via two avenues:

  1. Self - completed by you
  2. Adult - a referral from a parent, school teacher, coach, community member etc.

How to do an expression of interest to become a mentor (18 years and above)

Embark on a journey with the young people as you support their personal development in the program and share your experience with them. Click here to hear why Deng became a mentor in the 2023 GOAL Mentoring program.

To complete an expression of interest, please click here.

Contact us

For more information, please email the Multicultural Youth Programs Coordinator Amal Hassan-Ali by email.