KEY POINTS:
A motivational workshop for teenagers in New Zealand has made such an impact it is expanding overseas.
The Step Up programme, held at the Waitakere Trusts Stadium last week, gives young people the tools to be future leaders.
It was founded in Australia in October 2002 by entrepreneur Ryll Burgin and the response was so huge that life coach Yvonne Hilsz organised for it to be brought to New Zealand.
The workshop will travel to Palmerston North on August 2 and 3 and then Christchurch on August 16 and 17. Next year it will go to Wellington and instead of one there will be two Auckland events.
Ms Burgin said 700 teenagers from 12 Auckland schools across a range of deciles participated. There were 72 coaches, all of whom paid a $495 donation to the organisation.
One of the speakers, former Blues player Jason Barrell, broke his neck in a freak accident during a game and two years later found out he had a brain tumour. His speech made a big impact on some students.
Mr Barrell said the feedback had been incredible. "One girl was dyslexic and said her lifelong dream was to become a police officer. She was teary because she thought she didn't have what it takes, and I gave her the realisation she could do it."
Ms Burgin said her motivation to start Step Up came after she began her own strategic planning company when she was 23 years old. She was asked to speak at her old high school where she discovered they offered only typing and shorthand, there were no business or entrepreneurial subjects.
The speakers come from a background of poverty or have overcome a major hurdle in their lives to give teenagers examples of those who have made it from nothing.
Next year Step Up will be launched in the US, Hong Kong and London.
