The Bulldogs’ leadership project, formally known as the Whitten Project, is moving the popular program into deeper into its western front.

Focusing on developing confidence and leadership skills, the project is looking for self-motivated young people who need not excel athletically, or play sport to be considered.

This builds on the Bulldog’s community development move into Ballarat, including the leadership project, men’s health initiatives and junior literacy programs, in a bid to help develop the club’s broader western Victorian territory beyond the field.

Project members will spend six months workshopping with industry leaders, Bulldogs men and women players and coaches. The program will draw on local community leaders, so project members in Ararat and Stawell will be better equipped in understanding important issues of their own regions.

The program also features excursions, including match-day experiences.

There was a sense of the unknown when the project launched in Ballarat last year, but participant Kathryn Hutchins told Fairfax Media it was a great experience.

“I’m learning so much from it, not just about myself but how other people are leaders,” Kathryn said, midway through the program. “I’m also learning so much from the people around me.”

Kathryn said a workshop with Bulldogs Luke Dahlhaus and Jordan Roughead was fascinating, analysing the different ways they showed leadership in their team.

The project is moving into Ararat Rural City Council, Northern Grampians and Golden Plains this year, with programs to return in Ballarat, Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton, Moonee Valley and Glenelg Shire.

The six-month program is open to all year nine and 10 students. Workshops are developed between March and September. For more details or to nominate, visit westernbulldogs.com.au