Participants were presented with a framed photo of themselves with their player mentors and chaperones before Senior Coach Mark Harvey officially wrapped up the program for 2009.
Over the week the participants also took part in specialised physical conditioning and injury prevention sessions with the club’s sports science staff, interactive sessions on nutrition, media training, player welfare and player recruitment, a training session with Fremantle coaching staff, leadership and a team building session with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), senior team match day involvement and a post game recovery session.
“The Fremantle Football Club, in conjunction with BHP Biliton Iron Ore was thrilled to be able to offer this once in a lifetime opportunity to these individuals,” Community Development Manager David Crute said.
“To witness the participants grow in confidence throughout the week from the experience is a real feather in the cap for everyone involved in this remarkable program.
“They walk away as different people from when we first meet them and you only have to speak to them about the week to recognise how much they get from the experience with the Fremantle Football Club.”
The 16 lucky participants were selected from a large range of nominations by a panel consisting of Fremantle Football Club staff and BHP Billiton Iron Ore staff. Nominations were sought through BHP Billiton Iron Ore, junior football club’s, the City of Fremantle, the Welcome to the AFL program, or from Eastern States Partner Clubs of the Fremantle Football Club.
The 16 participants in the BHP Billtion Iron Ore 2009 ‘Live The Dream’ program were:
Lou-ayy Rapie, South Hedland
Bradley Podmore, South Hedland
Jarrad Darcy, Geraldton
James Ryan, Wanneroo
Gregory Cross, Spalding
Zane Sailor, South Hedland
Luqman Salby, South Hedland
Jake Caffieri, Morley
Josh Hooper, South Hedland
Michael Porter, South Hedland
Brent Jordon, East Doncaster in Victoria
Sam Edwards, Leeming
Ferdi Louw, South Hedland
Benjamin Wagner, South Hedland
William Grant, East Fremantle
Mitchell Warren, Landsdale
With the program coming to an end for the 16 individuals who lived the life of an AFL player for a week, they were all grateful for the experience they had undertaken and shared their highlights at the function.
Brent Jordan, 15, who travelled from Melbourne to take part in this year’s Live the Dream program, said it was a great experience.
“Going to the naval base was probably the most challenging part, both mentally and physically,” he said.
“You also don’t realise how full on the week is for the players and how much stuff they have to go through when you just watch the footy on TV.
“It was also really interesting to see what the players programs are like when they are injured and we got to see what they do so they can get their body back in shape and playing again.
“I had the best week at the club for live the dream and made some new mates too.”
Everyone at the Fremantle Football Club would like to thank those who played a part in delivering the program this year.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved with the 2009 ‘Live the Dream’ program,” said Mr Crute.
“This program is vastly different to the everyday kind of activities and clinics the club facilitates.
“I know the player mentors also take a lot from it because it’s something they can have a direct and real impact on with these kids.
“They were really positive in preparing for their roles and gained a lot out of their involvement in the program,” he said.
The ‘Live the Dream’ initiative offers participants the opportunity to develop skills and behaviours that can deliver long term benefits to themselves and their local communities, while also having the chance to immerse themselves in the culture of the Fremantle Football Club.
‘Live The Dream’ is designed to develop teamwork and leadership skills, develop problem solving skills under pressure, provide participants with experiences that take them outside of their comfort zone and develop skills that participants can take back to their local community and pass onto their peers.
The intensive six day program saw each participant appointed a mentor from the Fremantle player group who guided and assisted them throughout the week. The players included Paul Hasleby, Des Headland, David Mundy, Ryan Murphy, Chris Tarrant, Antoni Grover, Michael Johnson, Clayton Hinkley and Brock O’Brien.
