In what has proven to be a recent changing of the guard at youth homelessness organisation Ladder, dual Hawthorn premiership player Brad Sewell has today joined as part-time Manager of Strategic Partnerships.
Sewell, who is a member of the AFL Players’ Association Board and is currently studying his MBA, will focus on building the engagement between Ladder and the AFLPA and AFL.
His role will involve consultations and ongoing discussions with players on brand, strategy and player engagement, as well as the scoping and creation of a player advisory group.
Sewell has said his decision to join Ladder was motivated by his passion for social justice and helping young people become the very best they can be.
“The contribution Ladder has made in the last six years in tackling youth homelessness has been inspiring and every AFL player should be proud of the fact that he has in some small way contributed to improving the lives of hundreds of young people” – Brad Sewell
“The contribution Ladder has made in the last six years in tackling youth homelessness has been inspiring and every AFL player should be proud of the fact that he has in some small way contributed to improving the lives of hundreds of young people,” Sewell said.
“I’m looking forward to playing a role in the expansion of Ladder and working with current AFL players to further strengthen their involvement and commitment to the work Ladder is doing.”
Ladder’s current programs not only help young people transition to independent living, but also help restore their belief in themselves and give them the confidence to follow their dreams, free of the debilitating impact of homelessness.
Newly-appointed Ladder CEO, Elisabeth Tuckey, is thrilled to have Sewell join her team at such an exciting time at the organisation.
“I’m very proud to announce the appointment of Brad, who is a highly respected past player with strong links across the AFL industry”, she said.
“His role at Ladder will help us strengthen the relationship with the AFLPA and the broader industry and engage even more players in the important work we do. Brad will also become a member of the Ladder Board, which will enable him to gain valuable experience on governance and financial sustainability issues,”
“He will also assist me in the ongoing engagement with Federal and State governments as we build our profile and develop new suites of services to support young people at risk of homelessness.”
Ladder believes that a young person’s experience with homelessness should not define their life. It is committed to working in partnership in the community and providing tailored programs of support and development for young people that:
- ensure they can move on to live independently
- reconnects them with their community
- secures their health and wellbeing
- provides them with pathways to education, employment and training
Ladder is an independent non-profit founded in 2007 by AFL players to empower young people aged 16 to 25 to break the cycle of homelessness by harnessing the support of the AFL industry’s profile, networks and players. Ladder is the official charity of the AFL Players Association (AFLPA) and is financially supported by the players and the broader AFL industry, corporate partners and fundraising.
For more information:
Sharon Torney
Ladder Fundraising & Communications Manager
0415 420 487