Thanks to a partnership between the LeasePlan Western Bulldogs and RecLink, football has helped inject a sense of pride back into two western region football teams.
Western Storm and WynBay Power played off for the inaugural RecLink Western Bulldogs Community Cup at Whitten Oval today. Both teams form part of the RecLink Football League, a competition made up of men and women who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Western Bulldogs, through SpiritWest Services, are dedicated in assisting RecLink with people who are experiencing homelessness, substance abuse, disability, mental health issues, and social and economic isolation.
The aim of the partnership is to assist people to find their way back into the community through access to sporting and recreational opportunities.
By hosting today’s football match, the Bulldogs helped players from both teams feel a sense of pride about themselves and their teammates.
Western Storm and WynBay Power played off for the inaugural RecLink Western Bulldogs Community Cup at Whitten Oval today. Both teams form part of the RecLink Football League, a competition made up of men and women who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Western Bulldogs, through SpiritWest Services, are dedicated in assisting RecLink with people who are experiencing homelessness, substance abuse, disability, mental health issues, and social and economic isolation.
The aim of the partnership is to assist people to find their way back into the community through access to sporting and recreational opportunities.
By hosting today’s football match, the Bulldogs helped players from both teams feel a sense of pride about themselves and their teammates.
Western Bulldogs General Manager Community Services, David Haynes, said the club will continue to provide opportunities to improve the lives of people in the western region.
“Today’s game has given those less fortunate than others another chance to mix in the community. By interacting through sport people not only feel a sense of achievement, it can also lead to new found respect, leadership and team work,” he said.
“Today’s game has given those less fortunate than others another chance to mix in the community. By interacting through sport people not only feel a sense of achievement, it can also lead to new found respect, leadership and team work,” he said.
RecLink Development Manager, Peter Cullen, first established the RecLink Football League in 1991 and has seen it grow into an important recreational outlet for disadvantaged people across Melbourne.
“There are currently 12 teams in the league with plans for a 13th from in and around Collingwood,” he said.
“There are currently 12 teams in the league with plans for a 13th from in and around Collingwood,” he said.
“We are really appreciative of the support the Western Bulldogs have showed by hosting today’s game. All of the players were really excited to be able to play on Whitten Oval.”
The Western Storm has been part of the competition for ten years while WynBay Power, with players from Altona, Laverton and Werribee, joined the competition earlier this year.
As the only western region teams in the competition, today’s match was the chance to determine who was best in the west. In the end WynBay Power took the honours to win by 17-points.
With support from community partner Victoria Police and other agencies both teams will now play for the community cup on an annual basis.
The Western Storm has been part of the competition for ten years while WynBay Power, with players from Altona, Laverton and Werribee, joined the competition earlier this year.
As the only western region teams in the competition, today’s match was the chance to determine who was best in the west. In the end WynBay Power took the honours to win by 17-points.
With support from community partner Victoria Police and other agencies both teams will now play for the community cup on an annual basis.
