Onwards & Upwards: Turning Lads Into Leaders

A four-week mentoring program is helping boys to set and stay on track with their personal goals aided with input from mentors in a program called ‘Lads to Leaders’ designed to assist them as they become young men and leaders in the community.

The structured sessions, based on the Foundation’s Onwards & Upwards mentoring program covers topics and activities including providing the young men with tools to assist with Self Esteem, Goal Setting, Leadership, Time Management and Giving Back to the Community. Each participant is partnered with a mentor who will assist them through the program.

Conducted by the Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation in conjunction with Easts Rugby Union ten boys have graduated in June in the latest program.

Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation founder and CEO John Godwin said the program has been designed to build the self-confidence, goal-setting ability and self-belief required for the boys to become leaders and grow their confidence and self-esteem.

“We set up the Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation to help people in our local communities move their lives onward and upwards,” Godwin said.

“We are now in our sixth year supporting the local Easts Community with the Lads to Leaders wellbeing mentoring program for boys aged 13 to 17.

“By boosting their self-confidence and building a proactive mindset combined with goal setting, we are helping these boys to reach their potential as they become leaders in their community. Many of them are going on to hold leadership positions for the first time in their school.

“We would like to one day have interest from female players to take part in a Ladies to Leaders Program and make this same program available for older players.”

Local mentors include rugby identities Andrew Slack and Toutai Kefu, along with business and other community leaders.

“Three of our boys have been through the IBFF Lads to Leaders Program run at Easts Rugby Union. The personal growth that all our boys achieved through the program was outstanding. The opportunity for them to work with mentors, who quickly became role models, really helped the boys to develop and articulate their goals for future success. This program is one of a kind, and IBFF and the fantastic mentors involved need to be congratulated for the work they are doing not only for the individuals in the program but for the wider community.” Tim McIlwain (Easts Junior Parent)

Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation is a non-profit organisation offering wellbeing mentoring programs to the community. The foundation was established in 2009 by a group of educators, community leaders and business people determined to help those in the community to a brighter future.

ENDS media enquiries to Brenton Gibbs 0419 828 440 [email protected]