BHP has formed a new youth engagement partnership with the West Coast Eagles which will see a Youth Engagement Coordinator based in the Pilbara to enhance and elevate existing activities and opportunities for young people.
This is great news for Newman kids who had an amazing time and learnt so much with the West Coast Eagles Community and Game Development Squad when they came to Newman last month.
The Youth Engagement partnership will further strengthen an already longstanding and successful relationship, which has achieved significant community and social outcomes over the past 15 years.
The objective – using the conduit of sport and the well-established West Coast Eagles brand– is to support and harness local organisations, programs and activities and build capacity within the community.
The highly collaborative approach will aim to promote and enhance education, health, diversity, participation and positive lifestyle messages, providing opportunities to empower youth to tackle challenges with confidence.
The Youth Engagement Coordinator, Clint Degebrodt, will be based in Port Headland while also attending to Newman and the broader Pilbara community.
It has been identified that there is a strong desire for meaningful youth engagement within these BHP host communities, and this partnership is also a commitment which will provide a multitude of opportunities to further drive existing youth engagement programs, and provide outlets for disconnected and disengaged youth, from lifestyle skills to leadership.
West Coast Eagles General Manager of Community and Game Development Richard O’Connell is excited by the prospect of this Youth Engagement partnership with BHP.
“West Coast Eagles and BHP have proudly worked in partnership for over a decade to improve social outcomes in the Pilbara under a FIFO model,” O’Connell said.
“The evolution of this partnership will now see an employee living in the Pilbara. We are incredibly excited to be based in the engine room of the country’s economy, working hand in hand with local groups to engage with young people, support volunteer and coach development.
“This dedicated appointment has been identified as a potential catalyst to explore appropriate support to other regional and remote communities across WA.”
BHP Head of Corporate Affairs, Meath Hammond, said Pilbara youth would benefit from the appointment of a local Youth Engagement Coordinator, through providing them with opportunities to fulfill their potential and overcome life challenges.
“It is important to BHP that we support the communities and people who support us,” Mr Hammond said.
“Through BHP’s partnership with the West Coast Eagles, we aim to develop social benefits and future opportunities, enriching the lives of young people in the Pilbara.”
