After successfully completing the Seven Sisters pilot program in Narrogin, Noongar woman Jade McGuire, is set to roll out the program across all WA Shooting Stars sites in 2021.
The Seven Sisters program is designed to provide Aboriginal girls and women with opportunities to develop positive social and emotional wellbeing skills and preventative mental health strategies using netball.
Shooting Stars approached Jade to head up the Seven Sisters program as it aligned with her studies in Occupational Therapy and her interests in mental health and Aboriginal youth.
“My role with Shooting Stars is to launch the program in each of the sites and ensure all the staff are confident to deliver it, so providing them with the right tools and resources to be successful,” said McGuire.
“I am so excited to be part of this program! Equipping our participants with the skills to respond and adapt to emerging challenges doesn’t just benefit them, but also their communities.”
After recently completing her Occupational Therapy degree at Edith Cowan University, Jade joined the Occupational Therapy Consultative Committee as the first Aboriginal person in its history.
“My main goal as part of the committee is to be an advocate for Aboriginal students and provide insight on how Indigenous culture can be further integrated into the OT structure,” said McGuire.
“To be approached by the university to join the committee was amazing and just having affirmation that what I have achieved so far has already made an impact.”
Shooting Stars Executive Officer Fran Haintz said Jade is a wonderful addition to the Shooting Stars team.
“Jade is doing some great things in the community and is a wonderful role model for our participants,” said Haintz.
“She is a great fit for the Shooting Stars Seven Sisters program, and I look forward to seeing the evolution of the program over the next couple of years under Jade’s guidance.”
