Volleyball WA is proud to be one of the activity providers for the Duke 4 Sport program part of the Duke of Edinburgh International Award. The award is a leading structured youth development program, empowering all young Australians aged 14-24 to explore their full potential and find their purpose, passion, and place in the world, regardless of their location or circumstance. The Award is a fully inclusive program and has no social, political, or religious affiliations.
To achieve an Award, each young person must learn a skill, improve their physical wellbeing, volunteer in their community, and experience a team adventure in a new environment.
Achieving an Award recognises individual goal setting and self-improvement through persistence and achievement.
Young people who go through the program:
- Are equipped and empowered to achieve their personal best
- Learn to take responsibility for their goals and choices
- Become connected to and actively engaged within their immediate community
- Make a real difference to society through their positive contributions and involvement
- Learn to persevere and overcome barriers to success
- Learn important life skills
- Increase their career opportunities.
The Award equips young people for life and work, whether it is through new unique activities, meeting new people or exploring an unfamiliar environment. This was certainly the case for Kiriill Butler, Healthway Volleyball WA Ambassador and Lead Volley Panel member.
Kiriill said, “He was inspired to join the program by Mr Charlton, a teacher at Wesley College who was very passionate about the program and was instrumental in helping him make the most of its opportunities to develop some skills outside of the classroom and become a more well-rounded applicant for university and work”.
“The Duke of Edinburgh award motivated me to be disciplined about how I developed and contributed outside of school. I was also fortunate enough to meet several inspiring people along the way – many of whom I’m still close with today”, he went on to say.
Kiriill achieved his award training and competing in athletics most days of the week. He also recalls going on a 3-day hike through the gorges at Karijini National Park to meet the physical recreation requirements. Having to carry everything he needed including food, water filtration equipment and tents over 50km was certainly quite a memorable experience. For the skills component, he continued to work on his French ability which coincidently ended up being his best subject at school. He completed a range of different voluntary service roles including helping out at his local community kitchen and helping to raise money for the Starlight Foundation.
So, as you can see from what Kiriill did the award is certainly achievable. “If anyone is looking to challenge themselves and learn a bit more about their strengths and weaknesses, I’d certainly recommend the Duke of Edinburgh program” Kiriill Butler.
For more information about the Duke for Sport Program visit https://volleyballwa.com.au/schools/#High-Schools. We also urge our clubs to get behind and support any young people in their community to achieve their award.