Western Bulldogs youth leadership program The Whitten Project is set to return in 2016, with nominations open from Monday 29 February.

Entering its fourth year, The Whitten Project has seen over 170 local students successfully complete the program over the past three years.

The program invites year nine and ten students from local western suburbs to participate in the five-month leadership program, aimed at connecting and growing the students’ leadership skills.

This year the initiative will welcome Ballarat students to participate for the first time, alongside existing municipalities – Brimbank, Glenelg, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton and Moonee Valley.

The program involves a series of unique workshops delivered by respected industry leaders and role models including Jordan Roughead, Geva Mentor, Jason McCartney and Marcus Bontempelli.

The workshops are fun, interactive, challenging and cover topics including leadership, communication, support networks, goal setting, resilience and civic engagement.

This year the program will have seven ambassadors, Jordan Roughead, Josh Dunkley, Easton Wood, Tom Boyd and Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs), Darcy Vescio (Western Bulldogs women’s team) and Geva Mentor (Melbourne Vixens).

For more information or to nominate yourself, or someone you know, visit www.westernbulldogs.com.au/whittenproject. Nominations close Friday 18 March.