We are delighted to have Ladder Alumni program member Saxon's story feature in the 2024 Finals Week 1 edition of the AFL Record. Thank you to the AFL Record for your ongoing support and creating meaningful experiences and opportunities to share our young people's stories.

You can read the full article below:

Ladder Shaping Lives

Ladder exists because of the vision and action of AFL players who saw the need and the role of the AFL industry in achieving social change. Ladder is the official charity of the AFL Players’ Association and the Toyota AFL Finals Series. We support young people in need of positive intervention at critical times in their lives so they can shift their life trajectory and create the future they deserve.

Saxon came to Ladder to develop better social connections and become job-ready after finishing high school a few years ago.  Saxon has Autism and experiences challenges in relation to his communication and confidence. He’d heard good things and wanted to give Ladder’s program a crack.

His first few weeks at Ladder were hard. Saxon found it difficult to participate in group activities and have conversations with other young people. Ladder’s Development Coach worked intensively with him to progress towards his employment and communication goals. By the end of the initial six-week program, Saxon had developed strong friendships with his peers, written his own resume and successfully attended a job interview.

Saxon recently participated in a six-session life-skills program alongside early-career AFL players. It took him right out of his comfort zone, but he enjoyed the challenge and opportunity to meet players. The experience inspired Saxon to attend his first ever footy match at the MCG. Thanks to the confidence and independence he gained from Ladder, Saxon didn’t feel overwhelmed like he normally would in an environment like this.

A few weeks after the match, Saxon joined Ladder for a day out at the MCG and Australian Sports Museum where he learned more about the AFL, including its rich history and ongoing connection to Ladder.

Saxon is thankful for his new confidence and communication skills, and the ongoing support of Ladder as he pursues a fresh path. His next goal is to get his driver's licence so he can travel to more places and to focus on his film making. 

“I’m so thankful for Ladder because they helped me get job ready. They have also given me the opportunity to try new things and support me, no matter what.”