The Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge is an annual program administered by ClubsNSW and the RSL and Services Clubs Association which offers young people between the age of 16 and 22 the opportunity to walk the Kokoda Track.

The program was originally developed by the RSL & Services Clubs Association five years ago, and involved NSW RSL clubs sending a young person from their local community to walk the Track.

Expenses covered by ClubsNSW include the cost of flying to Kokoda, as well as accommodation, food, camping equipment, boots and track permits. The intention of the Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge is to identify young people within the community who are potential leaders, and who have an ability to both inspire and educate other young people within their local communities.

The program has now been adopted nationally, with state club associations in NSW, the ACT, West Australia and South Australia all funding the cost of at least one young person to walk the Kokoda Track.

Candidates are expected to walk the entire Kokoda Track, which at 155km is 59kms longer than the more popular eco-tourist track. ClubsNSW believes that by walking the entire wartime track, young people have an opportunity to gain a greater understanding about a campaign that is rarely discussed in the classroom.

More than 2,000 Australian soldiers are buried at the Bomana War Cemetery near Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. Each group visits the cemetery at the conclusion of their ten day trip, an experience that is as emotionally draining as the walk is physically.

Should you be interested in applying for the 2011 program, then please email to Kokoda@clubsnsw.com.au. 

The date for the 2010 program is September 27 to October 8, 2010.

Please Note: Applications have closed for 2010 but will re-open in April, 2011.

Media interested in speaking with former participants of The Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge should contact ClubsNSW Media Manager Jeremy Bath on 0419 267 789.

The trek is conducted by Adventure Kokoda. For further information about Adventure Kokoda, which was established by Major Charlie Lynn in 1991, please click here. Adventure Kokoda is acknowledged as the most professional operator on the Kokoda Track and requires candidates pass a full medical by a GP before accepting their nomination.

Downloads

Kokoda Media Release

Kokoda Radio Interview 1 (courtesy 2UE)

Kokoda Radio Interview 2 (courtesy NOVA)

Images

Short Video

Please click on the You Tube video clip directly below to watch a short video of what the Kokoda Youth Leadership program is about.