An Altona-based service for at-risk young people says that AFL backing for a grassroots football team will help prevent homelessness.
Latitude: Directions for Young People today celebrates the official launch of a venture with Western Bulldogs, and the official launch of WynBay Bulldogs, formerly WynBay Power.
WynBay Bulldogs, which plays in the Reclink Australia league, unveiled the team’s new colours and guernseys at Whitten Oval in a move that is expected to create stronger pathways to employment and sport.
The Reclink AFL competition supports people with mental health issues, a disability, and those experiencing homelessness, financial hardship or substance abuse or who have come through the corrections system. It also promotes multicultural harmony through sport.
Latitude manager Rhonda Collins applauded the Western Bulldogs for backing WynBay – a team initiative in partnership with Victoria Police and Hobsons Bay and Wyndham youth services.
“Having the Bulldogs’ backing … it’s provided uniforms which have always been a struggle for us because it’s not a funded program,” Ms Collins said. “It also provides those opportunities to access things like the responsible serving of alcohol [certificate], access to [football] training that is at a much higher level than what we would normally be able to offer … so it provides an amazing opportunity for people who have experienced disadvantage.
“It’s really about trying to develop them, skill them up so that they can move through the team into the broader community, hopefully through employment and training, and, potentially, they can play Saturday footy.
“For Latitude, it’s been an opportunity to engage with young people at risk of homelessness before they become homeless.”
