Amy wants to set an example with socks.

Western Bulldogs’ Leadership Project has really opened her eyes to issues in her hometown and, prompted to act, Amy has teamed with other participants to try and make an impact.

“Our project is about socks – socks are the most under-donated item for the homeless,” Amy said. “People are quick to donate coats and blankets but no-one really looks at socks.

“We’re looking at how to do that now...homelessness is a big issue. We can’t fix the whole issue but we can make a change.”

The Bulldogs-led Leadership Project is a six-month program for young people to build their confidence and leadership skills in their own communities. 

This is the second year the Bulldogs have hosted the Project in Ballarat, this year also expanding further west to work with teenagers in Stawell and Hamilton.

Amy is a Bulldogs fan but said club-led programs, like Leadership Project, were about far more than football. 

Her dad is part of the Bulldogs’ Sons of the West program in Ballarat, which promotes men’s health.

“These programs are really important. It really bring people together in different ways to make a difference,” Amy said. “Footy brings people together in sport but there are other things clubs can do too, to make a bigger impact.”

We have put it to Leadership Project participants online to let us know a leadership skill they most admire, then have matched it cup with a Bulldogs’ player who demonstrates this quality on and off the field.

The move is part of The Courier’s Adopt A Dog campaign, helping you all find a favourite player to cheer for when Western Bulldogs arrive in town to host the first AFL match.

Join in and send us a photo in your team’s colours – Bulldog or not – and tell us which Bulldog you would adopt as your favourite player on August 19. The Courier has double and family passes to give away to the Bulldogs clash with West Coast at Etihad Stadium on July 1. Enter via The Courier’s Facebook page, or email rebecca.niuetta@fairfaxmedia.com.au.

FOOTBALL fans will have to wait a little longer to test out the new seats in Eureka Stadium’s grandstands.

North Ballarat Roosters and Greater Western Victoria Rebels will host a double-header at the venue on Sunday but spectators must still gather on the mound.

City of Ballarat development and planning director Angelique Lush said, for now, the stadium was still a building site.

“Works on Eureka Stadium are on schedule and the site will be handed over by the end of the month,” Ms Lushy said. 

“Seats at Eureka Stadium will be available for use once the site is handed over.”

Priority ticketing for the Western Bulldogs’ AFL home game at Eureka Stadium will go on sale to Bulldogs’ members in a weeks’ time on July 3. Tickets to the general public will open on Wednesday, July 5, at 10am.

The new western and northern stands look like the place to watch the game with adult tickets priced at $59. Eastern stand tickets will be on sale for $46 and the chance for adults to stand at the game is $25, general admission.

Eureka Stadium capacity is 11,000 people with about 5,000 undercover seats.

The only way to guarantee a seat until then is to join the pack with a Bulldogs’ Ballarat membership or membership add-on, both of which are only available to residents in Ballarat and western Victoria. Ballarat member seating allocations will be confirmed in mid-July.

Western Bulldogs have adopted Eureka Stadium as an alternate home base for the next five years and will play the first AFL match for premiership points against Port Adelaide on August 19.

The Bulldogs and City of Ballarat are working to activate the whole region for the historic clash.