Ladder co-founder Mark Bolton speaks to AFL Player Development Managers at Ladder Forum

Player Development Managers (PDMs) play an integral role in supporting AFL and AFLW players by providing advice and support during the player's career and once they transition out of football.

Today, Ladder hosted an online forum for all PDMs to discuss the opportunities that players can get involved in and what impact it has on both the players and the young people they work with in our programs.

We were lucky to have Ladder co-founder Mark Bolton speak about how Ladder was formed and how it was an idea that stemmed from fellow AFL players Paul Licuria, Joel Bowden, and himself back in 2007.

He was so proud to see how much the organisation had evolved since then, which originally focussed on tackling youth homelessness to now more broadly giving young people the skills, opportunities and mentoring they need to build a better future.

The one thing that really stood out to him was the work that we do at Ladder and the impact it has on players and what they can learn about themselves through helping our young people.

The PDMs also heard from GWS GIANTS AFLW Captain and Ladder Board Member Alicia Eva, other Ladder staff and two alumni members from Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley.