But after a couple of months spent building relationships, Hooley shared a powerful moment with a student and realised just how valuable his work could be.

Hooley’s role is broken down into two parts – he runs a leadership program alongside Ballarat Rush star Joy Burke for three different classes a week as well as one-on-one time with students.

“It’s not so much leadership such as being a captain or a teacher, it’s more so how they can build on leadership in their lives,” Hooley said.

In the classes, the athlete shares his own story of loss and growth following the death of his mother. She battled cancer while he was at college in the United States.

Hooley describes the decisions he had to make to get through the difficult period, his thought processes and how he moved forward.

“Their attention might be all over the shop, but once you start talking some heavy stuff they kind of all lock in and we’ve had kids come up to us when walking around the school,” he said.

In the one-on-one sessions, Hooley helps the students with their homework, shoots hoops or talks about their hobbies and interests.

Sometimes in this environment the students feel comfortable confiding in Hooley, but it is up to them. 

One conversation with a student particularly moved Hooley, inspiring him to write a post on his blog.

In the post, Hooley described noticing a boy walking onto the basketball court and how he decided to approach him after realising he was missing class.

The student was reluctant to speak to Hooley at first, but eventually confided in the basketball player about losing his mother and being picked on in class.

After the conversation, Hooley made the teachers aware of the situation.

Then he spoke with the class – not about the student, but about facing adversity and treating everyone as though they are fragile.

Lessons he remembers his mother instilling in him.

Hooley, who has also written about his mother’s death on his blog, said he never knew who was going to connect with his own story or reach out, but the responses via social media, email or in person motivated him.

“Sometimes it is harder than others to talk about it, but it’s a powerful story and it is working,” Hooley said.

“And the beauty of the internet is once it is out there it’s out there.”

Hooley began his blog while at college to express the thoughts he felt he could not speak allowed. But he only publishes what resonates with him the most.

“It’s normally when something happens and really hits home,” Hooley said. 

“I know I would have loved to have read some stuff like that from other people.”

As for the students, Hooley said the most rewarding part of his role was seeing the difference, no matter how small, such as the students paying more attention in class or smiling more.

You can read Hooley’s full post on foreverinsidemythoughts.blogspot.com.