Kodi Weston, a Kwinana Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) Participant, has taken an exciting step forward as a volunteer Development Coach with the Rockingham Flames!
Kodi is a huge basketball fan and has previous coaching experience. Building off this, the Status team from Kwinana worked with Rockingham Flames to identify an opportunity that aligned with Kodiโs interests, existing coaching experience and goals.
Throughout the journey, Kodiโs Employment Coach, Doreen, took a participant-led approach, giving Kodi the opportunity to work through challenges, make decisions and recognise strengths and capabilities.
๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ต๐ฎ๐บ ๐๐น๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐
A particularly important part of Kodi's story has been the commitment shown by the Rockingham Flames to creating an inclusive environment.
Before Kodi commenced in the role, Teige, the Senior Development Officer from the Rockingham Flames, completed GutSmart IBD training through Crohnโs & Colitis Australia to better support Kodi once he commenced.
GutSmart is Crohnโs & Colitis Australiaโs education and resource platform, providing evidence-based information about inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohnโs & Colitis Australia also
provides employer-specific guidance designed to increase understanding of IBD and help workplaces consider adjustments that enable people living with IBD to fulfil their potential.
Teige was able to use the increased understanding of Crohnโs & Colitis to help identify and implement reasonable adjustments and create an environment where Kodi could participate while managing Crohnโs disease.
Just as importantly, Teige showed understanding, patience and flexibility, giving Kodi the space to learn through experience and determine what worked best for him.
๐ง๐ฎ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ถ๐ ๐ก๐ฒ๐ ๐ฅ๐ผ๐น๐ฒ
When starting the role, Kodi initially worked alongside an experienced coach, developing practical coaching skills and becoming familiar with the environment.
Kodi has since progressed to leading and engaging groups of young players, providing verbal instructions and demonstrations, communicating professionally and taking on greater responsibility on the court!
The Rockingham Flames have witnessed that development firsthand, recognising Kodiโs enthusiasm for coaching, willingness to learn, ability to take feedback on board and determination to continue challenging himself.
โWatching him go from finding his feet in the role to confidently taking greater responsibility has been a fantastic reminder of what can happen when someone is given the opportunity, support and encouragement to succeed.โ โ Teige, Senior Development Officer
๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ฑ๐ท๐๐๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฆ๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ถ'๐ ๐ฅ๐ผ๐น๐ฒ
As a part of the Inclusive Employment Australia program, the Status Kwinana team have continued to support Kodi through implementing workplace adjustments.
Statusโs Access and Inclusion Manager, Kylie, worked with Kodi and the team to identify potential workplace barriers and aspects of the role that could be tailored to support Kodi to perform at his best.
Recommendations for adjustments included identifying access to specific facilities as well as availability of hydration and snacks if needed.
The workplace adjustments have helped remove barriers so Kodi can thrive in the role.
Kodi is now building coaching and leadership skills, professional communication, independence, self-advocacy, workplace connections and valuable experience that can contribute towards future employment opportunities.
And there is a line from Coach Carter that captures the spirit of Kodi's journey perfectly:
โOne person struggles, we all struggle. One person triumphs, we all triumph.โ
Kodiโs achievements are his own, but it also demonstrates what can happen when participants, Employment Coaches and employers work collaboratively to identify and remove barriers and create genuine opportunities for inclusion.
From finding his feet alongside an experienced coach to confidently leading young players and taking greater responsibility, Kodi is creating his own pathway forward.
โFrom the beginning, he showed a genuine enthusiasm for getting involved, working with young players and developing his coaching skills. It has been incredibly rewarding to watch him grow into the role and become a valued member of our coaching team.โ โ Teige, Senior Development Officer
A huge thank you to Teige and the Rockingham Flames for going beyond simply offering an opportunity. By taking the initiative to complete Crohnโs & Colitis Australia's GutSmart training before Kodi commenced, Teige demonstrated what proactive and informed employer inclusion can look like.
The team at Status Kwinana will continue to support his employment journey through post placement support. Congratulations, Kodi, on everything achieved so far. We can't wait to see where the coaching journey takes you next!
