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  • Our founding
  1. Who we are
  2. Our history

Our founding

In 2007, AFL players Mark Bolton, Paul Licuria and Joel Bowden made a decision that would impact the lives of thousands of young people for the better.

They identified a need and had the skills and passion to establish a not-for-profit, youth organisation that would support the countless number of young people experiencing homelessness in Australia. This organisation would go on to be named Ladder.

"What if we could harness the goodwill, influence and power of this unstoppable social and cultural force that is AFL, they thought. Ladder was born."

Luke Ball, former AFL player and AFL Players' Association vice-president.

All three players had been volunteering at soup vans in Melbourne and had witnessed the high numbers of young people accessing services. What stood out to them was the repetition. The same people were coming back, night after night, week after week, year after year.

They asked themselves, what can football do about this?

They made a compelling case to the AFL Players’ Association and the AFL, who came onboard as founding members. Organisations who still hold this position over a decade on.

In Ladder’s first year, the AFL Players’ Association committed $10 from every player’s weekly match payment. This has since risen to $25. Ladder continues to hold the privileged position of being the Official Charity of the AFL Players’ Association and a tier one charity partner of the AFL.

Since inception, hundreds of AFL players, both male and female, have supported the organisation as youth mentors, volunteers and advocates.

“We're doing this because it's the right thing to do.”

Joel Bowden, AFL player and Ladder co-founder

The organisation has evolved during this time, and while physically housing young people is no longer a primary focus, at its core, the vision still stands. Giving young people the skills, opportunities and mentoring they need to build a better future.

And importantly, an organisation that was born from the vision and courage of AFL players, continues to be driven by them.  

Read more

AFL players to lead homeless project

Ladder gives youth a step out of homelessness

Published: 29th May, 2019

Updated: 20th October, 2021

Author:

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Latest

  • Carlton Football Club's Sam Philp is Ladder’s latest mentor

    Carlton Football Club's Sam Philp is Ladder’s latest mentor

    Ladder mentors become a trusted support and advocate and motivate their mentee to achieve their goals.

  • Ladder program graduates are motivated and ready to find employment

    Ladder program graduates are motivated and ready to find employment

    We celebrated the graduation of another wonderful group of young people.

  • Another successful group mentoring day hosted by ANZ

    Another successful group mentoring day hosted by ANZ

    Ladder program participants recently attended a group mentoring day hosted by our wonderful ANZ volunteers in Melbourne. Together, they participated in a range of activities including mock interview, setting SMART goals and hearing directly from ANZ mentors on their own personal career progression.

  • Ladder expands successful Step Up program to support more young people transitioning from out-of-home care in regional NSW

    Ladder expands successful Step Up program to support more young people transitioning from out-of-home care in regional NSW

    Today Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones announced additional funding to expand the Ladder Step Up program beyond the Sydney area and into regional NSW.

Most read

  • Ladder Step Up Sydney

    Ladder Step Up Sydney

    The Ladder Step Up Sydney program kick starts the career prospects of young people aged between 15 and 20 years who have had an out-of-home care experience and are connected to the western Sydney region.

  • What we do

    What we do

    We exist to make young people’s lives better.

  • Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley

    Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley

    The Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley program helps young people build on their strengths and explore different jobs and industries.

  • Donate

    Stand with AFL players and donate to their official charity, Ladder and make a lasting impact on the lives of young people experiencing disadvantage.

  • Ladder 2022 AFL Finals Pin Campaign

    Ladder 2022 AFL Finals Pin Campaign

    Support Ladder to improve the lives of young people experiencing disadvantage.

  • Careers

    Careers

  • Ladder Mentoring

    Ladder Mentoring

    Mentoring involves a select group of AFL players, business and community leaders who are supported by Ladder to develop a positive and meaningful relationship with a young person.

  • Our founding

    Our founding

    Over ten years ago, AFL players made a decision that would impact the lives of thousands of young people for the better.

  • Governance

  • Who we are

    Who we are

    AFL players believe that every young person deserves an opportunity to succeed.

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Gate 3, IKON Park
400 Royal Parade
Carlton North
Victoria, 3054

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PO BOX 84
Abbotsford
VIC 3067

+61 (03) 9416 0064
[email protected]

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Ladder is the official charity of the AFL Players’ Association. The AFL is a major supporter of Ladder.

Ladder acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

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