The GIANTS have officially kicked off their Learn with Leek program, in conjunction with Multicultural NSW.
The workshop for high school kids aims to tackle hate, racism, and violence within their school and wider community through an extensive leadership development session.
The students were presented to by a range of people from the wider community including people from trade backgrounds, the professional sector, and community sectors – as well as the GIANTS’ own Leek Aleer.
More than eight schools with close to 150 kids took part in the first two-day workshop, with several more scheduled for the coming months.
GIANTS Head of Community Ali Faraj said he was pleased to see so many schools jumping on board.
“We were really pleased to have so many students join us over two days for our first set of Learn with Leek workshops,” Faraj said.
“The program focuses on engaging kids so they can be active leaders in their communities when it comes to racism, hate and violence.
“We have a responsibility as a club and through our players to help lead the way when it comes to social change, to educate, and to lead by example in the community.
“It was fantastic to have Leek Aleer join us to speak to the kids about his journey, and how he arrived at the GIANTS from South Sudan. He speaks incredibly well for a young man and the kids were highly engaged in what he had to say.
“I’d also like to thank Mark Coure MP and Multicultural NSW for their support and of the Learn with Leek program. They continue to be a wonderful partner of the GIANTS and we would not be able to run these types of workshops without their ongoing support."
With such a richly diverse multicultural fan-base in Western Sydney, the GIANTS are committed to stamping out racism not just in the sport but in the community as a whole.
Everyone has the right to feel safe and supported, and through programs like Learn with Leek, the club hopes to minimise racism by teaching kids to call it out from an early age.
Diversity across all areas of the football community from grassroots to the elite is integral to the success of the sport, and the GIANTS will continue to educate and use their influence to increase actions against acts of racism.
For more information on the Learn with Leek program or to get your school involved, please contact the club via info@gwsgiants.com.au.
