The Bill Hutchison Foundation has recognised the significant contribution Essendon Football Club Community programs make to young people by announcing a $13,000 donation. 

The foundation was established to use the power of sport to help young people and has been on the look out for quality programs to get behind.

“The Essendon Football Club’s Community Department had three programs that we thought were really worthwhile because they work with our demographic which is young kids and adolescents,” Bill Hutchison Foundation Board member June Kane said. 

The money will go towards Essendon’s ‘On the Ball’, ‘Kinder Carnival’ and ‘Train like a Bomber’ programs. 

“They really do prevent harm.  They work with kids to build their resilience, not just sorting them out after they’ve had problems,” Dr Kane said.

“That’s the kind of thing we’re looking for.

“They work with kids up front.  They’re not programs that look at kids that have already been bullied, programs that look at kids that have already suffered abuse… they start right at the beginning. 

“So it matches our mandate, absolutely.”

The Club’s ‘On the Ball’ program is aimed at 10-14 year olds and addresses issues including depression, alcohol abuse and smoking.

‘Kinder Carnival’ promotes the level of enjoyment that can be had through sports participation and ‘Train like a Bomber’ provides education about the latest technology in sport.

“Our programs are a really important part of the work that we do as a club within the community,” Essendon Chief Marketing Officer Justin Rodski said.

“We are extremely grateful to the Bill Hutchinson Foundation for this valuable financial contribution.” 

For more information on these programs click here.