Swans Welcome New Social Impact Manager

Jessica Ellis has commenced with Swans as the club’s Social Impact Manager in Perth. With an education and disability background, spending time as a teacher regionally and in Perth, Jess is a fantastic addition to the social impact team. With Swans Elevate continuing to evolve into a premier school program, Jess will further enhance and lead the engagement in Perth schools, whilst also driving other social impact programs Swans deliver like community health and wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion.

Having grown up in Derby with a large and diverse family, Jess understands the power of community organisations. “I know that community involvement and clubs are a necessity - everyone needs to lend a hand, be involved, belong and give back for the community to thrive and function” said Ellis. “I’m a big believer in providing opportunities for people to personally develop and that everyone has access to opportunities regardless of their background or location. ‘You can not be, what you don’t see’ is a strong belief of mine, so I’m thrilled to get the chance to show what’s possible through Swans” she added.

Swans’ Head of Social Impact, Jason Burton, is excited to have Jess join the team. “Jess’ background and experiences both personally and professionally bring about a passion that is easy to feel, and no doubt she will have a great impact on the people we work with” Burton said, adding “Jess really understands the role we can play in bringing opportunities to life for some who don’t always believe it’s possible, it really is a powerful thing and we are excited to have Jess leading it in Perth.”

Swans Elevate is now part of the curriculum at Swan View Senior High School, thanks to a partnership with Westrac, which will see 4 classes each attending 2 periods per week in Elevate, focussing on self development, greater engagement in education and transitions to employment, improving health and wellbeing and enhancing community connections. It’s the next step alongside Elevate programs at a number of primary and high schools Swans will deliver in 2023, as well as the Ironbark and AussieFIT health programs, Basketball, Integrated Football plus new opportunities in line with the club’s Diversity, Inclusion and Equality Action Plan.  

For more information on Perth’s social impact offerings, contact Jessica Ellis jellis@swandistrictsfc.com