VTS Leadership Students Collect Hundreds of Sporting Goods for Fair Game

Every Friday at our Cannington training centre, a group of Aboriginal School-Based Trainees (ASBTs) from Ursula Frayne Catholic College, Mercy College Koondoola and Trinity College attend VTS to complete the 52878WA Certificate I in Leadership. As part of their unit Participate in a Team Project, the students chose to work together on a project that would make a real difference in the community.

They decided to run a donation drive for Fair Game — a Western Australian charity that supports underserviced communities to live healthy, active lives. Fair Game redistributes pre-loved sporting equipment to remote and regional communities, helping children and families access the physical, social and mental health benefits of sport.

What began as a simple idea quickly became something much bigger. The students planned the campaign, sought permissions from their schools, designed posters and messages and spread the word among classmates and families. Week by week, the donation pile grew.

Their trainer, Claire Baker, said watching it all come together was an emotional moment.

“I was nearly in tears with how proud I am of all of them. Seeing the students walk in with bag after bag of donations was overwhelming.”

The project taught the group that meaningful change requires planning, communication and teamwork. They learned how to coordinate tasks, present ideas to classmates and stakeholders and work through unexpected challenges. More importantly, they learned about empathy — and how small actions can help others.

Some students displayed exceptional leadership.

Zeeahara, who Claire describes as bright, articulate and always lifting others, was a key motivator in the group.

Matilda consistently supported her classmates and showed maturity, compassion and strong time-management skills.

Finn helped keep the team organised and encouraged others to participate.

Together, the group collected a large volume of equipment: basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, netballs, sneakers, bibs, cricket gear and assorted training resources — all destined for rural communities that need them most.

The presentation of the donations to Fair Game will take place soon, with support from VTS Business Development & Client Relationship Manager Kathy Whitcher.

This project opened the students’ eyes to how little some communities have and how fortunate they are to be in a position to help. Their enthusiasm, teamwork and generosity are a credit to their schools and their families — and a reflection of the leadership qualities they continue to build through their training.

VTS is proud of these young people and grateful to all who supported the project. Their effort shows what can happen when students are given the opportunity to lead with purpose.