West Coast Fever Captain and Shooting Stars Ambassador Courtney Bruce has spent a week in the remote Kimberley alongside a number of participants from Shooting Stars.
Shooting Stars is an initiative of Netball WA and Glass Jar Australia and uses netball as the vehicle to encourage greater engagement and attendance at school of young Aboriginal girls living in WA’s remote communities and regional towns.
Bruce, traveled to Lombadina Aboriginal Community where the Fever leader shared her insights and experience on team building and effective leadership.
The trip was a reward for the young leaders from the Shooting Stars Program to further embrace their culture and find new pathways in becoming Aboriginal leaders.
The Samsung Diamonds Star said the chance to travel hundreds of kilometres away from home was an amazing experience.
“I’ve definitely seen some of the girls grow and evolve, their attendance is growing and that’s the reason they’re at this camp,” Bruce said.
“It’s just so rewarding to see those girls go from low attendance or poor attitude to where they are now and with the aid of netball and the aid great coordinators that are running these sites it’s absolutely fantastic.”
“I can definitely see these girls being role models in the future if they keep going down this great path.”
Shooting Stars Executive Officer Fran Haintz said the advantage of having access to Bruce, a successful and influential female leader, was truly a constructive and emotional experience for the girls involved.
“These participants live in some of the most remote towns in the world, so to have Courtney Bruce spend a whole week with them, not just as a spokesperson, but as a friend and mentor is something Shooting Stars prides itself on.” Haintz said.
“Courtney is not only a natural on the court, but the influence she has had on the girls this week showcases her values as a true leader of female empowerment.”
Shooting Stars currently runs eight sites across Western Australia, with the Program aspiring to work with 20 schools by the end of 2021.
