Western Bulldogs celebrated the graduation of its leadership academy this week with its first regional program.

Eleven Sons and Daughters of the West members from Ballarat and Maryborough signed up to become pack leaders.

Leadership Academy focuses on understanding and improving leadership styles and skills, gender equality and cultural awareness.

Graduates are encouraged to volunteer in their community and can help lead their Sons and Daughters of the West holistic well-being programs.

Western Bulldogs Community Foundation participation officer Emily Ryan said the academy was a great chance to build on the booming popularity of the Ballarat programs.

“It is exciting for the Foundation to be further involved in the region and to be able to go regionally with this program,” Ms Ryan said.

“The program was open for any (eligible) Sons or Daughters of the West to apply and they’ll be able to go and volunteer back into those programs now.” 

Sons of the West has been running in Sebastopol and Wendouree for three years, with satellite programs introduced to Smythesdale and Maryborough.

Sister program Daughters of the West has booked out for two seasons.

Both programs work through sessions combining mental and physical health with guest speakers and exercise components tailored to all abilities.

This was the first year Daughters of the West members have taken part in the leadership academy.

Ballarat graduates joined 42 graduates from programs in the western suburbs for a ceremony at Western Bulldogs’ Whitten Oval base on Tuesday night.

AFLW Bulldog Libby Birch and Bulldogs’ foundation health and well-being manager Kashif Bouns were special guests.

Sarah Cahill spoke on behalf of Ballarat graduates.

Sons and Daughters of the West are part of a series of community programs Western Bulldogs deliver in Ballarat. The club also works with Ballarat partners for youth program Western Bulldogs Leadership Project, literacy program Bulldogs Read and Auskick clinics.

Western Bulldogs are set to return for two more AFL premiership season matches at Mars Stadium next season: Brisbane Lions on May 11 and Adelaide in round 23.

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