Raffle proceeds will help to fund the operation of SpiritWest Services.
Fund raising from the Bonanza Raffle is critical to supporting
the Western Bulldogs community
activities including:
• 10 Work for the Dole Programs
• 280 Young Adult Traineeships
•
40 young kids educated in our ‘Alternate School’
• Over 3,500 hours spent by Players and Officials in the
community delivering social and educational messages
•
In conjunction with LeasePlan, introducing over 3,000 underprivileged
children to the excitement of the AFL through ‘ Carn
the Kids’
SpiritWest Services (SWS) is the LeasePlan Western Bulldogs Community
arm which works closely with the local community to deliver quality
community programs, education and training for individuals and
industry and commerce.
SpiritWest Services focuses on four main
areas:
Education Programs
Our challenging and innovative learning programs provide young
people with a fresh start in a fresh environment. Delivered in
a non-school environment, these programs offer more than 60 young
people each year with an opportunity to experience positive and
purposeful learning.
In addition, these young people undertake tailored programs in
areas such as hospitality, business studies and recreation. During
2005, 11 participants commenced employment, nine commenced traineeships
and two returned to full-time schooling.
Training Programs
As a Registered Training Organisation, SpiritWest Services delivers
training in the workplace under formal traineeships that result
in a nationally recognised qualification. Currently, we have
more than 200 people undertaking training programs in hospitality,
warehousing, retail, business administration, sport and transport
and distribution. SpiritWest Services’ training programs
can be tailored and many programs are delivered to take advantage
of government subsidies.
Pre-employment Programs
These programs are conducted to meet known job vacancies in industries
such as food-handling and logistics, retail and hospitality.
The program provides accelerated training for participants to
enter specific industries with the relevant skills. Over the
past two years, more than 120 people have gained employment through
these programs.
Community Programs
SpiritWest Services delivers a multi-faceted range of programs
to strengthen community building that focuses on several key
areas:
1. Primary and Secondary Schools
2. Bulldogs in the Community
3. Multicultural Programs
4. Grass roots Community Football
5. Volunteers
6. Members, Fans and Supporters
7. Community Partnerships
A significant part of our Community Club strategy is the commitment
to schools in the western region. We recognise that the contribution
of the school community in promoting and delivering Australian
Football to young people is significant. As a result, the Western
Bulldogs have developed a Bulldogs Friendly Schools initiative
for both secondary and primary schools in the municipalities of
Maribyrnong, Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Wyndham and Melton – the
Bulldogs’ Backyard.
There are a total of 192 Schools in the Western region, 135 primary and 57 secondary. In 2008 the Western Bulldogs will be partnering with 33 primary and 15 secondary schools as part of the Bulldog Friendly program. There are also a number of programs that fall out of the schools program including VU Clinics (Secondary), Australia Post Cup (Year 7 & 8), Dogs Breakfasts (Year 11 & 12), Principal for a Day /Executive for a Day, Care for Kids (Primary) and Player Appearances in our "Bulldogs in the Community".
SpiritWest Services operates several programs that engage our diverse
community that include Multicultural Schools Program, Footy Links,
Big Spirit, Citizenship Ceremonies and many more.’
If you would like to know more about SpiritWest Services please
contact us on 1300 GO DOGS (1300 46 36 47)
or email godogs@westernbulldogs.com.au
