SWAN Districts' innovative programs to help the Pilbara youth continues to be a success with Jaden Parker now not only involved at the club and living in the Steel Blue House, but it has helped him set out a plan for his life.

Parker has moved into the Steel Blue House, the same place that Lewis Jetta moved into last year and went on to play State football, get drafted by the Sydney Swans and now be playing AFL football.

The 17-year-old has settled into life in Perth now after moving from Tom Price after he progressed through the V Swans program last year and completed his Year 12 studies at La Salle College under the club's scholarship program system.

That has now led to Parker undertaking an AFL traineeship that sees him work two days at Swans, two at the West Coast Eagles and one at La Salle, while also playing reserves football with the black-and-whites.

While following in Jetta's footsteps and playing AFL football is the ultimate dream, the experience at Swans has helped Parker see what he wants to do in life. That's to be a mentor for kids growing up like he did and to move into a teaching role.

"Lewy was in there when I was as well so it was a good opportunity to go and live with Lewy and his brother (Graham). He left a landmark in that house that we can follow on from and look up to. Isiah Stevens is living in the house with me and so is Caroline Lewis, Chris' sister," Parker said.

Swans tough man to put body on line for WA

By Chris Pike

SWAN Districts captain Josh Roberts is looking forward to putting his head over the ball and feeding it out to WA's strong running brigade against Victoria on Saturday and is excited to be playing alongside Andrew Krakouer, Tom Roach and Tallan Ames.

Roberts is set to line-up in his second game for Western Australia against Victoria at Medibank Stadium on Saturday with Swan Districts' teammates Krakouer, Roach and Ames all likely to play their first game for the Black Swans.

Pulling on the WA jumper means a lot to Roberts given that he hasn’t received a chance to play AFL football and he's confident the side will make a better fist of things than when he played in the 2007 match in Melbourne.

"It does mean a lot to me. It's the highest level I can go to I suppose in my football. It's about personal pride and state pride, so it is important," Roberts said.

"I'm definitely looking forward to it. The last time I played was against Victoria in Melbourne. That was a forgettable day, but I'm sure this day will go a fair bit better. There's a better feeling around the group this year and I'm sure it will definitely be an improved performance on that one."

V Swans and Australian Reliance working together to create ‘Future Leaders’.

The Swan Districts Football Club through their V Swans programs continue to be an innovative leader in youth development in the Pilbara, Bunbury and east metropolitan Perth, using sport to deliver pathways in education, healthy lifestyles and career development that are culturally sensitive, integrated and inclusive.

The Swan Districts Football Club has announced $60,000 partnership with Australian Reliance who will be partnering together to run the Australian Reliance Future Leaders Program. This is the first time such a partnership has been created. The three year sponsorship deal is essential to growing of the V Swans programs, while furthering the longevity of community development in the Pilbara.

The Swan Districts Football Club is proud to announce long time sponsor Steel Blue have committed to continuing their support of the Club with a new $300,000 sponsorship deal. As part of the sponsorship, Steel Blue retains the naming rights to Swan Districts’ home ground, Steel Blue Oval. The three-year agreement is essential to supporting the development of local footballers, while furthering the longevity of community development in the Pilbara.

Brendan Parker, Chief Executive Officer of Swan Districts said, “We are delighted to have Steel Blue commit to a new three year partnership. Their valued support allows us to continue developing our community programs, while also providing opportunities and support to young people through the Steel Blue House.”