The entire Bulldogs playing list visited 28 primary schools  and 17 Western Region Football League (WRFL) junior club’s across Melbourne’s West last week to conduct clinics and leadership sessions.

The school visits are run in conjunction with the Bulldogs Friendly Schools initiative, which is a six week program aimed at grade three and four students, focusing on AFL skill development and themes of leadership, respect, fair play, teamwork and harmony.

A highlight in the Bulldogs community calendar, the program is run in conjunction with Victoria University Pre-Service Teachers who facilitate the sessions within the school environment.

Aimed to engage students to promote a healthy and active lifestyle, the program also allows participants to rub shoulders with some of their favourite Bulldogs players throughout the year. 

VU Pre-service teacher Simon Hewitt said his involvement in the Bulldogs Friendly Schools program had been highly enjoyable and leaves a lasting impression with the students.

“The introduction of the Bulldogs program into a multicultural school has allowed students to learn fundamental themes including teamwork, leadership and respect that they will not only use through sport but also in everyday life,” Hewitt said.

“The Bulldogs program has allowed students to have a more active day while still using thinking strategies in the techniques used to bounce, kick, handball, and mark the ball.”

“Having a player visit the schools gets the students to understand firsthand what is involved in becoming a player, what you need to eat to stay healthy, and also allows them to see that their dreams really can come true.”

“The player visit was a successful one with the students conducting interviews to find out all about the football life, then continuing on with a clinic allowed students firstly to show what they had learnt and then building on that learning with help from one of their idols.”

There are currently over 3000 students participating in the program.