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YMCA Victoria and AFL SportsReady have announced an exclusive partnership that will provide new career and educational pathways for YMCA Victoria staff, young people and the community.

AFL SportsReady has developed YMCA Victoria’s Leadership Education Program and started delivering the program to more than 100 YMCA Victoria staff.

The partnership will ensure all YMCA Victoria staff can build on their existing skills, within a structured pathway articulating to Degree and Masters level courses with AFL SportsReady’s exclusive tertiary partner, La Trobe University.

Introducing the partnership, YMCA Victoria General Manager Stephen Bendle said the YMCA wanted a partner with a strong background and experience in the health and recreation sector and a partner that shared our common values and vision.

Bendle stated “the development of our people is a really important platform for us to grow and continue meeting our mission and vision, so partnering with AFL SportsReady is really important in being able to ensure the ongoing attraction and retention of our key people.

“The partnership aligns strongly with the YMCA Victoria’s mission to provide opportunities for people to grow in body, mind and spirit and will focus on the key attributes and skill sets that we know our people need, for us to continue to be important in the community.”

Bendle said he was also confident of the partnership's long term benefits, adding “the partnership provides YMCA Victoria with stronger, better equipped people, able to positively impact their local communities.”

AFL SportsReady Chief Executive James Montgomery believes the partnership with YMCA Victoria will have a positive impact at a range of levels within the community.

Montgomery added “the opportunity for AFL SportsReady and YMCA Victoria to work together across the state will enable large numbers of young people to take the first steps in their career. It also enables us to provide education to the community through YMCA Victoria's 150 plus sites giving hundreds of people access to quality local education.

“The YMCA Leadership program will enhance the professional development and education pathway available to YMCA Victoria staff with a structured, innovative three stage program that incorporates accredited qualifications eventually leading into a Masters at La Trobe University.

"I strongly believe our partnership with YMCA Victoria will provide positive impacts for YMCA staff, local communities and young people. This is a really exciting opportunity and we look forward to working with YMCA Victoria for many years to come.”

Image shows AFL SportsReady Chief Executive James Montgomery and YMCA Victoria General Manager of Advocacy and Health Promotion Stephen Bendle.

Click here for more information on AFL Sportsready. 

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