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GOAL Mentoring

Empowering African-Australian Youth in Melbourne’s West

The GOAL Mentoring Program is a free and dynamic mentoring experience for young people aged 12–17 from African cultural backgrounds living in Melbourne’s west.

Over 10 engaging sessions, participants are supported in a culturally safe and empowering environment that connects them with AFL and AFLW players as well as community mentors from across Western Melbourne — both African and non-African.

The program focuses on helping young people build confidence, set goals, and develop personal and leadership skills through meaningful mentoring relationships and inspiring experiences.

Who’s It For?

Young people aged 15–18
Students from an African cultural background.
Those living or studying in Melbourne’s West or Ballarat.
Young people aged 15–18
Students from an African cultural background.
Those living or studying in Melbourne’s West or Ballarat.

What to Expect

  • Confidence & leadership skills to use at school, work, or in life. A safe space to share, learn and grow.
  • Support from experienced mentors who understand your journey.
  • Opportunities to connect with others from similar backgrounds.
  • A certificate of completion and recognition of your participation.

Success by the Numbers

0 %

Of participants leaned a new skill or gained new knowledge.

0 %

Gained a better understanding of their culture and history.

0 %

Spoke a language in addition to English.

0

Community Leaders signed on as mentors.

How It Works

  • 8 weekly sessions during school hours or after school delivered in participating schools or local community venues.
  • Run by trained facilitators with lived experience.
  • Flexible, inclusive and built around you.

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.

Nominations can be completed via two avenues:

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

For more information please email foundation@westernbulldogs.com.au.

Nominate Here

I feel like I’m more outspoken than I used to be. I speak more, I’m more confident.

GOAL Participant

[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.

GOAL Participant

They were the sessions that were most inspiring, educating or fun. The impact was bigger because guest speakers came in. Everything was amazing and I am so grateful.

GOAL Participant

I loved this program. (It) has helped me socialise and make new friends and also, I learned that socialising is not that hard if you just match people’s energies.

GOAL Participant

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Western Bulldogs Community Foundation (ABN: 26 160 537 459) is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient.

Donations of $2 or more to the Foundation are tax deductible in Australia.

Acknowledgement of Country

Western Bulldogs Community Foundation acknowledge that we work, train and play on the traditional lands of the Kulin Nation. We offer our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

Western Bulldogs Community Foundation (ABN: 26 160 537 459) is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient.

Donations of $2 or more to the Foundation are tax deductible in Australia.

Acknowledgement of Country

Western Bulldogs Community Foundation acknowledge that we work, train and play on the traditional lands of the Kulin Nation. We offer our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

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