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

Our founding

Over ten years ago, 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: 27th June, 2019

Author:

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Latest

  • On behalf of the team at Ladder, thank you for your wonderful support this year.

    On behalf of the team at Ladder, thank you for your wonderful support this year.

    Ladder offices will be closed from 5pm Thursday December 24 and will reopen at 9am Monday January 4. We look forward to working with you next year and wish you a happy and safe holiday season.

  • Alicia Eva joins Ladder Step Up Sydney for a GIANT graduation

    Alicia Eva joins Ladder Step Up Sydney for a GIANT graduation

    Ladder staff and young people recently came together to celebrate the graduation of ten young people fromthe Ladder Step Up Sydney program.

  • A graduation celebration in the Latrobe Valley

    A graduation celebration in the Latrobe Valley

    On Thursday 17 September, Ladder staff and stakeholders came together to celebrate the graduation of ten young people from the Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley program, joining 131 alumni who have completed the program since its inception in 2017.

  • Alumni Spotlight: Jeremy

    Alumni Spotlight: Jeremy

Related

  • On behalf of the team at Ladder, thank you for your wonderful support this year.

    On behalf of the team at Ladder, thank you for your wonderful support this year.

    Ladder offices will be closed from 5pm Thursday December 24 and will reopen at 9am Monday January 4. We look forward to working with you next year and wish you a happy and safe holiday season.

  • Alicia Eva joins Ladder Step Up Sydney for a GIANT graduation

    Alicia Eva joins Ladder Step Up Sydney for a GIANT graduation

    Ladder staff and young people recently came together to celebrate the graduation of ten young people fromthe Ladder Step Up Sydney program.

  • A graduation celebration in the Latrobe Valley

    A graduation celebration in the Latrobe Valley

    On Thursday 17 September, Ladder staff and stakeholders came together to celebrate the graduation of ten young people from the Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley program, joining 131 alumni who have completed the program since its inception in 2017.

  • Billy Gowers joins the team at Ladder

    Billy Gowers joins the team at Ladder

    This week Ladder staff and young people welcomed Billy Gowers to the team.

  • Ladder Alumni Spotlight: Jeremy

    Ladder Alumni Spotlight: Jeremy

    Step Up Latrobe Valley Development Coach Sarah caught up with program alumni Jeremy to chat all things Ladder and life after graduation.

  • Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley Impact Report 2020

    Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley Impact Report 2020

    Click here to view the Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley Impact Report 2020.

  • Ladder Step Up Sydney Impact Report 2020

    Ladder Step Up Sydney Impact Report 2020

    Click here to review the Ladder Step Up Sydney Impact Report 2020.

  • Latrobe Valley Community Step Up to Mentoring Program

    Latrobe Valley Community Step Up to Mentoring Program

    The Ladder program in the Latrobe Valley continues to engage new mentors. In line with COVID-19 restrictions, the program has moved online with the first virtual mentor interview taking place today.

  • Step Up Latrobe Valley continuing to provide “Delivery with a Difference”

    Step Up Latrobe Valley continuing to provide “Delivery with a Difference”

    Program delivery for Step Up Latrobe Valley has been able to continue thanks to the Ladder team ensuring program participants have easy and ready access to technology for online learning.

  • Step Up Latrobe Valleys Development Coaches making the most out of COVID-19 regulations

    Step Up Latrobe Valleys Development Coaches making the most out of COVID-19 regulations

    Step Up Latrobe Valleys Development Coaches Sarah and Chris are making the best out of the current COVID-19 regulations and ensuring program participants are supported through the current stages of isolation.

Most read

  • Leticia achieves employment goals in the Latrobe Valley

    Leticia achieves employment goals in the Latrobe Valley

    Leticia has gained employment at Latrobe Regional Hospital after her participation in the Ladder Step Up program.

  • Dunkley siblings cook up a storm

    Dunkley siblings cook up a storm

    Gippsland locals, Josh, Kyle and Lara Dunkley come together to engage and support young people in the Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley program with an online cooking class!

  • A Grand Final Week event to remember

    A Grand Final Week event to remember

    Over 400 guests were treated to a night of entertainment and mingled with the stars, as part of an AFL Grand Final Week event hosted by ANZ volunteers.

  • Western Bulldogs FC player and AFLPA board member, Easton Wood gives insight into his daily routine during COVID-19 crisis

    Western Bulldogs FC player and AFLPA board member, Easton Wood gives insight into his daily routine during COVID-19 crisis

    Western Bulldogs FC Premiership Captain and AFL Players' Association board member, Easton Wood provided Ladder with an exclusive insight in to his daily routine during the COVID-19 crisis. Easton provides Ladder program participants with some tips on how to stay emotionally and physically healthy during the physical isolation period. Hear him speak about how he is spending his day during this challenging period and read more about why it's important below.

  • Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley’s Development Coach, Chris,  engages with the local community

    Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley’s Development Coach, Chris, engages with the local community

    Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley is working with Latrobe Streetgames to provide online sporting content to Young People in the local community.

  • AFL players share their education, employment and training goals and challenges with Ladder young people

    AFL players share their education, employment and training goals and challenges with Ladder young people

    AFL players, Jordan Roughead (Collingwood Football Club) and Tom Campbell (North Melbourne Football Club) have joined forces to give Ladder’s program participants an insight into their lives outside of football and their own education, training and employment goals.

  • Latrobe Valley Community Step Up to Mentoring Program

    Latrobe Valley Community Step Up to Mentoring Program

    The Ladder program in the Latrobe Valley continues to engage new mentors. In line with COVID-19 restrictions, the program has moved online with the first virtual mentor interview taking place today.

  • Accessibility

  • Step Up Latrobe Valley Program 10 Graduation

    Step Up Latrobe Valley Program 10 Graduation

    We're proud to announce that the graduation of our Step Up Latrobe Valley program 10 participants.

  • GWS GIANTS’ James Avery appointed to Ladder Board

    GWS GIANTS’ James Avery appointed to Ladder Board

    GWS GIANTS’ Chief Operating Officer, James Avery has been appointed as a Director of not-for-profit organisation, Ladder.

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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.