FACT #1. Community bootcamps are for everyone!

…whatever your fitness level or experience! We offer a welcoming environment where people come together to get fitter and connect with each other.

Who can attend?

Everyone! The main goal of the The Community Bootcamp Project is to bring people together, to create opportunities for finding social connection, get fitter and healthier, have fun, and build support networks – together!

The bodyweight workouts are designed to be attainable for the beginner yet challenging for those with a higher fitness level.

Who runs The Community Bootcamp Project?

Your weekly community bootcamp session is hosted and run by somebody within your local community who has a passion for building your community’s health and wellbeing. They are called Community Bootcamp Project facilitators.

A Community Bootcamp Facilitator may be an existing fitness instructor, somebody who is qualified but perhaps not currently practicing, or someone who is passionate and willing to learn. The Community Bootcamp Project empowers them to lead their own weekly community bootcamp session and become part of a momentum for positive change. If this sounds like you and you’re interested in becoming a facilitator, please click HERE.

How do I register to attend?

Head to the registration portal, sign up for a free account, then you can book in your sessions and away you go!

How much does it cost to attend?

A small donation is requested to attend a bootcamp session, but nobody will be turned away so even if you can’t pay, please stay!

Where does the money go?

The Community Bootcamp Project operates as a non-profit venture. All donations received go directly into expanding the community bootcamps or to the charity we support, the Black Dog Institute. The project’s leadership team and management staff are currently volunteers.

Why the Black Dog Institute?

The Community Bootcamp Project was established to improve and/or maintain our mental wellbeing, as well as our physical health. It is founded on a wealth of lived experience, bringing together fitness and social connection to help address some of the challenges we face in today’s world.

According to the Black Dog Institute, 1 in 5 of us will experience symptoms of mental illness in any given year. In Australia, that’s around 5 million people. And roughly 60% of these people won’t seek help.

As the only medical research institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan, the Black Dog Institute’s aim is to create a mentally healthier world for everyone through research with real world impact to treat, manage and prevent common mental health conditions and suicide.

We wholeheartedly support the power of research and are proud to contribute to long-term societal solutions, whilst delivering near-term benefits directly to you.

Our Ambassadors

Our ambassadors play an incredibly important role in helping community members to connect and engage with the Community Bootcamp Project. We look for inspiring and motivating people who know the mental health benefits of living a fit and healthy lifestyle. We develop each role to suit the individual ambassador’s background, capacity to engage, and desire for how you wish to participate.

Matt Priddis – former professional AFL player for the West Coast Eagles and 2014 Brownlow Medalist.

After an incredible AFL career, Matt now works in Agri Finance and loves everything about WA’s most important industry. His hobbies are all about having an active lifestyle and being engaged in his kids sport. He believes sport is the greatest teacher of life, and he loves seeing his children learn on the run. Matt sees exercise as a great way to de-stress. Maintaining. his fitness has always been a focus as he knows he feels his best physically and mentally when. he gets the balance right.

Blake Kappler – professional Ironman triathlete and endurance performance coach.

Blake went from overweight, unfit, and unhealthy in 2011 – to being ranked in the top 1% in the world and 2nd in Australia for Ironman age group racing! He made some huge changes in his life and has never looked back… He talks publicly about the links he has experienced between his physical fitness and his mental health, believing that sport saved his life. Through his coaching, Blake advocates for balance in life and the power of exercise to help achieve that. He supports the Community Bootcamp Project because it brings structure to training, connection, and accountability.

Keira Gentle – fashion designer and mental health advocate with a love of bootcamp.

Keira is a 28-year old mum who loves designing clothes, getting creative, celebrating her culture, and learning Noongar language. She knows first hand how strong the linkages between fitness and mental health are. When she is not active, she recognises how her mental wellbeing dips and she finds it harder to connect with people. She supports the Community Bootcamp Project because she’s witnessed the benefits of working out with like-minded people, connecting through exercise.

Olivia Earle – Subiaco WAFL youth star with an impressive boxing and speedway track record.

Outside of school, Olivia works at Subiaco Football Club on game days and is a kids basketball coach. She plays WAFLW for Subiaco Football Club, and last year began competing at state level boxing where she clocked up an impressive 5 wins our of 5 fights – including two state novice titles. Olivia started out training for fitness and quickly realised the benefits she felt in her confidence, social life, and ability to connect with people. She supports the Community Bootcamp Project because she wants to share the good things she has experienced through fitness, and recognise all the help and support she has received.

Matt Van Den Ham – basketball coach and all-round excellent role model to young people.

Matt loves the outdoors and all things active. If he’s not at school or coaching basketball, you’ll find him playing sport, camping, surfing, or hanging out with his friends. Matt believes in the power of fitness to open up a new world if you’re struggling mental health and social challenges. He finds that being part of a group of people with similar goals has helped him to connect, form friendships, clear his mind, and be able to relax and have fun. He supports the Community Bootcamp Project because it helps people from all walks of life, physically and mentally, especially those who might not otherwise have access to fitness classes.

Andrew Morton – ex-military medic, devoted bootcamper with the biggest heart of gold.

After spending 8 years in the NZ Defence Force as an Army Medic, Andrew chose Western Australia to live, work, and raise his family. He is a proud father of 3 daughters and an avid outdoor fitness fan. He is a firm believer that the health of mind and body are connected. Andrew supports the Community Bootcamp Project because it brings together the three wellbeing aspects of mental, physical, and social. He sees. it providing something that is vital to us all in the ever-changing environment in which we live and play.