00:00You know, we started with a humble program, a Victorian-based program, an academy for
00:06Year 7 and 8 students, ultimately to give them the best opportunity to become role models,
00:11to become elite footballers, but we soon realised that it wasn't just about that, it's about
00:16building young leaders in our community and to see our young generation excel and become
00:21the best versions of themselves is very rewarding.
00:25You know, when you get the constant phone call from a parent saying, what have you done
00:29to my child, you know, his behaviour's changed at home, these sort of responses is what keeps
00:36us going and it motivates us to keep doing more and more because there is a massive need
00:41in the community and, you know, we need more role models out there to give back and to
00:45be, I guess, the voice and the example for our younger generation growing up.
00:50Sport does wonderful things, you know, it's a vehicle to, I guess, bridging so many gaps
00:54and we use that, we use it to our advantage and, you know, I was very fortunate enough
00:58to become an elite footballer for many years and, you know, almost using that as a role
01:03to bring people together and it's not just bringing my community together, yes, that
01:06is my objective, but it's about, you know, focusing on the other minority communities,
01:14you know, and giving them, I guess, life, giving them hope that they can achieve whatever
01:17they want, providing they might have a few differences with their backgrounds and values
01:22that they belong to, so, you know, hope, wish big, dream big and you can still maintain
01:30your values and, you know, you'll be okay in life and that's the message that I try
01:34to generate to all communities, especially minority communities out there.
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