Love of league leading kids back to school

Twenty young people from Port Moresby’s Wildlife settlement have returned to school or employment, thanks to a literacy and life skills program from Save the Children, NRL and Westpac.

‘Life, Literacy, League’ is a Save the Children project, run in conjunction with NRL mentors, which teaches young people basic literacy and life skills through a football-themed course, giving them the skills and confidence needed to return to school or take up employment.

Life, Literacy, League was funded through an AU$50,000 grant from Westpac Foundation, which is the charitable fund of Westpac Australia, in association with Westpac Pacific. This is the only offshore grant given by Westpac Foundation.

“We’re thrilled with the results of the pilot and to see young people reached in a way that is meaningful for them – through the NRL,” said Westpac PNG’s Head of Retail, Cameron Penfold. 

“It’s not just about the 20 boys and girls who have participated,” said Tamara Green, Program Director for Save the Children PNG. “The results run right across the community as people go home and talk about the lessons they’ve learned and encourage other people to pick up books, and to think about what they would like for the future”. 

“We are so proud of the kids and the decisions they made to return to school as a result of the positive experience provided by the Life, Literacy, League program,” said NRL PNG In-Country General Manager, Mark Mom. “This is real evidence of Rugby League being used as a practical development tool to achieve real outcomes that benefit individuals, community and a nation.”