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Shaw & Henderson are proud sponsors of the Adelaide University Blacks Division 3 Soccer Club.
http://adelaideunisoccerclub.com/men/blacks/division-3/
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Shaw & Henderson are proud sponsors of the Ice Factor program. The Ice Factor program assists schools in their efforts to keep ‘at risk’ students at school, as most show a high probability of leaving prematurely. Ice Factor provides these students with a focus through which they can develop vocational and life skills in a team.
Good evening, my name is Lakeisha Watkins. I’ve been a participant in Ice Factor since I was a year 9 student in 2015. Before I joined Ice Factor I was a shy and insecure student, who struggled to take leadership due to fear of rejection. The first time I stepped on the ice as a participant of the program was an eye opener. For the first time I felt as though I was apart of a supportive environment. All my coaches and team mates helped me to become confident in my abilities and to learn that there is no need to be embarrassed about making small mistakes.
Just this year I was made captain of my team, a great accomplishment seeing as just a year prior I had almost given up on myself. My struggles with acne, family and financial issues saw me become a closed off individual who often pushed others away. Thanks to Ice Factor I’ve learnt to push myself out of my comfort zone in order to achieve the things I want. I’ve witnessed team mates flourish into confident young leaders and witnessed countless students form important relationships with team mates, teachers and coaches. My team mates have gone on to achieve great things such as playing for ice hockey leagues, with some players being chosen to play interstate.
I’ve also been given so many great opportunities thanks to Ice Factor, many of which I never would have been apart of without the program. This year I was chosen to play in the USA vs Canada game and had the honour of meeting Nathan Walker, an Australian ice hockey player who plays ice hockey in the US. Meeting him was an amazing opportunity one which I will remember for the rest of my life. You see Ice Factor has helped motivate and shape me as an individual, without the program I would not be where I am today. Thanks to Ice Factor I was able to push through the bad times in my life, ones where I struggled to believe in myself and instead find the motivation to work towards my ambitions.
Just last month I graduated high school winning two subject awards and being the recipient of the Josiah Mitton award for my values towards both school and the wider community. Ice Factor had a massive contribution to me winning the awards as the program taught me the values which I display.
Just a year ago, when I was at my lowest point, I was fine with working a basic shift work job for the rest of my life, living day by day. Now I have realised that I could never be proud of myself if I lived my life like that. Instead I am planning to attend university to obtain a Bachelor of Media in the hopes of pursuing a career in a variety of areas such as journalism, editing and publishing. I have also been nominated as a candidate for school DUX within my school, a massive achievement seeing as my own teachers believed I was stupid in primary school. It’s feels great to have proved them wrong and show that everyone has the potential to improve. These dreams of mine would not be achievable if it wasn’t for the constant support of Ice Factor. Every coach, special guest, team mate and Marie herself helped me to realise my potential and better myself as an individual.
I thank you all for listening to my story and hope it has helped to inform each of you of just how life changing the program is.
With your support the program will continue to help greatly improve the lives of countless students and ensure that they have the skills needed to make their mark in the world.