The AFLPA (AFL Players' Association) presented a cheque to Ladder on Tuesday, when Federal Minister for Sport Kate Ellis and Minister for Housing Tanya Plibersek toured the Collingwood building which aims to house 21 youths aged 16 to 25 by the end of September.

 

Ladder, a joint venture between the AFLPA and AFL Foundation, has partnered with the Victorian Government, Citymission, Yarra City Housing and The Salvation Army for the project.

 

Accommodation will be offered via referrals, which are channelled through Melbourne Citymission and selected based on age, need and willingness to make a life change.

 

Ladder general manager and former Essendon footballer Mark Bolton said a commitment to improving lives was a crucial element when selecting participants to receive accommodation.

 

"The key area we're focusing on is the innovation area – so that's things like mentoring, life skills programs, work experience with AFL sponsors," Bolton said.

 

Twelve young people will undertake a mentoring program involving AFL players and elite female athletes including members of the Melbourne Vixens netball team.

 

Five of the tenants will be more independent – receiving incidental support from Ladder – while the remaining four will undertake case management through The Salvation Army and Citymission.

 

The money raised by the AFL players will go towards the day-to-day running of the facility, including a bike repair and maintenance program and mural art project.

AFLPA president Joel Bowden said players had made voluntary contributions of $25 each per match to its charity fund, a portion of which was donated to Ladder.

 

He said while not all players would be involved in the mentoring aspect of the project, participation of just five per cent of the competition's 700 players would go a long way towards a meaningful contribution.

 

"It’s not for everyone. But if you want to do it, do it. The rewards are there, not just for the young people, but for player development as well," Bowden said.

 

An advocate for the Lighthouse Foundation, which also tackles youth homelessness, Bowden said he hoped to see Ladder achieve similar results in helping young people improve their lives.

 

"We just had an idea to help out, try and make a contribution, and it’s evolved into this. It’s really exciting that hopefully we’re going to help some people transition into a better life," he said.

 

Minister Ellis said the Ladder facility was first class and would provide an excellent model for other athletes and sports to build upon.

 

"It’s about giving back and about recognising that in a sports-mad country like Australia, athletes do have an almost unique ability to touch people's lives and [it's] an incredibly powerful gift," Ellis said.

 

"Whether that be putting together a bike with a young person here or cooking a meal every now and then or just dropping in, watching some television in the common room, that’s amazingly powerful to people's lives. I think that this is a really good example of tapping into that power."

 

Ladder has secured a property in Adelaide with an aim for it to accommodate 23 young people and be fully operational by the end of 2010.

 

Accommodation and mentor facilities are also planned for other capital cities in the next five to 10 years.

Story courtesy www.afl.com.au / Chelsea Roffey