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At a glance

Rising Leaders is a school-based leadership program for students, helping them build confidence, leadership, and wellbeing through sport and mentoring.

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10-week school-based program delivered during school hours for students aged 13–17.

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Focus on leadership, teamwork, communication, and decision-making.

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Practical sessions in sport, coaching, umpiring, and cultural connection.

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Builds resilience, positive behaviours, and stronger school engagement.

Outcomes

The Rising Leaders program creates lasting change for students, schools, and communities by improving engagement, wellbeing, and leadership skills.

Improved school engagement

Students discover new purpose in learning. Attendance rises as they reconnect with teachers, peers, and the school community through shared goals and positive experiences.

Better behaviour and wellbeing

Through sport and guided reflection, students develop emotional regulation, teamwork, and resilience — leading to calmer classrooms and stronger relationships.

Personal growth and leadership

Participants build self-esteem, confidence, and empathy. They learn to lead by example, make better decisions, and see themselves as capable of achieving more than they thought possible.

Stronger social connections

The program fosters belonging and respect. Students strengthen friendships, learn to communicate and collaborate, and feel part of something bigger than themselves.

Positive community impact

Our team act as role models, connecting students with families, schools and community networks for collective support.

Pathways to the future

Students leave the program better equipped for future education, employment and leadership opportunities.

In their own words

Hear directly from students and teachers about the impact of our leadership programs in schools.

I just like the cultural sessions… and it teaches other people about culture
Program Participant
It definitely improved a lot of boys and girls.

Beforehand, we just weren’t that maturity level of what we should have been and then after learning through leadership skills and everything, we just stepped up our game and then especially teaching the little kids, it made us realise and so pull our heads in. Probably just talking when the teacher’s talking, like the usual stuff, just mucking around heaps. But as soon as Stephen Michael came down, we kind of pulled our heads in, cracked on.

Program Participant
Taught me how to just open myself up and talk more.
Program Participant
Now I’m more confident.

I help out without talking to people and just showing myself off as a good bloke.

Program Participant
I wasn’t as supportive, but then as soon as I started rising leaders, I started pulling my head in, cracked on.

I do chores on a daily basis. Because half of it’s mainly just because I have to and yeah, with that program, kind of showed me a bit more responsibility of taking care of myself.

Program Participant

Interested in the Rising Leaders program?

Want to spark real leadership development in schools and empower your students? Let’s work together to make it happen.

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