Welcome To Young Warriorz
Mentoring Today, Leading Tomorrow.
Young Warriorz offers a specialised one-on-one youth mentoring service designed to support at-risk young people aged 12 to 21 in Darwin, Alice Springs, and remote communities in the Northern Territory.
Programs are customised to individual needs and can span from 3 to 6 months, with frequent mentor contact to ensure sustainable change.
Our Promise
Our mission is to provide culturally sensitive, trauma-informed mentorship that addresses the unique challenges faced by Indigenous and at-risk youth. By leveraging Young Warriorz team members’ firsthand experience in the workforce and justice sector as well as cultural insights, we aim to foster trust, resilience, and self-confidence in our mentees, enabling them to overcome barriers to achieving their full potential.
At Young Warriorz, we blend the time-honoured traditions of military discipline with the wisdom of our Indigenous heritage, empowering young individuals to become resilient leaders of tomorrow. Based in the Northern Territory, our mission is to foster courage, discipline, and leadership in the next generation, preparing them to excel in both civilian and military pursuits.
35+
Combined Years in Justice, Corrections, Educational and Military Experience.
NT
Proudly Based in and Supporting the NT
100%
Indigenous Owned and Operated
Our Services
- One-on-one Mentorship
- Throughcare Support
- Education & Skill Development
- Family & Community Engagement
- NDIS Support (Non-Registered)
- Goal Setting
- In-class Support
- Music Therapy
Our Team
Luke Ross
Managing Director
Luke is a highly skilled Team Leader and Mentor with over 15 years’ experience of working across Commonwealth and Territory Government services in the areas of Youth Justice, Armed Services and Education. Recognised as a subject matter expert in Youth Justice Business functions, services, statutory and performance requirements.
Luke brings over a decade’s worth of experience in performing roles in the delivery of the Northern Territory Government Youth Justice Department that have ranged from Team Leader to the Deputy Superintendent or General Manager of both Alice Springs and Darwin Youth Detention Centres. Luke’s abilities to lead and manage others in highly regulated environments were developed when he was a Non-Commissioned Officer in the Australian Army and during tours of duty in Afghanistan as a member of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force 1.
Luke created Young Warriorz after leaving the Government in October 2023, Luke identified shortfalls in experienced mentors currently operating in the Northern Territory willing to work with some of our most complex and disadvantaged youth. Young Warriorz focuses on Education and Employment as the key strategies to turning around current social issues impacting the Northern Territory.
Awards: Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, Australian Active Service Medal, Australian Defence Service Medal
Hobbies and Interests: Luke likes to spend time with family, listening to country music and being outdoors. History, politics, and current affairs
Favourite Sports: AFL, Essendon,
Favourite Holiday Destination: Singapore or Thailand
Favourite Quote: “Society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in”
Leon Rotumah
Director
Born and raised in Darwin, Northern Territory, Leon brings 15 years of experience working within the Youth Justice sector where he has gained valuable knowledge working with At Risk and Vulnerable young people. Leon is an accomplished leader recently leading Northern Territory Youth Justice as the Deputy Chair of the Australasian Youth Justice Administrators, Indigenous Advisory Group, where he played a vital role in developing the Cultural Domain for the National Standards for Youth Justice in Australia.
Leon was also recently recognised at the Australasian Youth Justice Administrators Awards as the 2023 Northern Territory Nominee for “Quality Connections”, reflecting his ability to work in collaboration with all stakeholders in Youth Justice.
A well respected member of the Darwin sporting community, Leon has captained the Northern Territory and Australia in Rugby League on numerous occasions. It is in the high pressure environment of Rugby League where Leon has advanced his leadership and mentoring strengths with a determined drive to get the best out of his team and guide young team members.
Leon’s passion is in working with young people to impact positive change and nurture the young leaders of the future.
Hobbies and Interests: Camping, Travelling and spending time with family
Favourite Sports: Rugby League, Brisbane Broncos & Queensland Maroons
Favourite Holiday Destination: Fiji
Liam McEnerney
Director
Liam is of Irish and Filipino descent. He has a strong passion and sense of moral obligation to help others in his community, especially those in high need. This is why Liam has dedicated 11 years of service in Youth Justice within the Northern Territory where he was born and lived at different times of his life in Karama, Howard Springs and Palmerston. Having worked in youth detention before transferring to YORET Liam has spent a long chunk of his career assisting and engaging with At Risk and vulnerable young people to play a role in their change to transitioning to a life beyond the system.
Liam understands that education and employment “IS” the way out of the system and engaging young people through case managing and guidance to follow through with these key components so that they can develop and have a life of independence for themselves. Liam understands it takes trust, relationship & commitment to build awareness, belief and confidence for our young people to follow through with their goals.
Liam has professional experience in engaging with youth, families, watch houses, court, detention, bail accommodations, police, child protection, CIT, service providers, youth drop-in centres, mental health and medical services. Liam has been a local hip-hop artist for over a decade and has provided music therapy workshops at spaces such as The Don Dale Youth Detention Centre, The Y Palmerston drop-in centre and the YMCA Palmerston and Ashley Youth Detention (Tasmania).
A thorough NT sportsman Liam spent many years involved in the sporting community playing rugby league for Litchfield Bears & Darwin Brothers, rugby union for Litchfield Swamp dogs & Palmerston Crocs, playing junior cricket for Southern Districts whilst training & barracking for Southern District Crocs at Fred Pass every weekend as a young bush kid.
Hobbies & Interests: Family time, shouting my elders out for a meal, making music, travelling the world, going for a kick on the oval, eating GYG or chicken Laksa, watching sports, all of it.
Favourite Sports: Rugby League (Brisbane Broncos), Boxing (Mike Tyson & Manny Paquiao), UFC (Conor McGregor & Alex Perierra
Favourite Holiday Destination: New York and Gold Coast
Favourite Quote: “Don’t count the days, make the days count.”
Our Core Values
We value and honour ours and our mentees’ Indigenous cultures, traditions, and knowledge systems. We believe in the importance of cultural identity through connection to family, country and identity, into our mentoring programs. Sometimes the young people we work with are so disconnected from these fundamental cultural norms that they are surprised to learn about them.
We empower youth to take control of their futures by providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed.
We are committed to promoting equity and social justice by addressing systemic barriers and disparities that hinder the educational and employment opportunities of Indigenous and at-risk youth.
We believe in the power of collaboration and work closely with schools, community organisations, government agencies, and businesses to create a supportive network for our mentees.
We draw upon the bravery of our ancestors and the spirit of the warrior to instil courage in our young recruits, empowering them to face life’s challenges with resilience and determination.
We uphold the values of discipline and order, mirroring the precision and focus of military training to instil self-control, responsibility, and commitment in our young warriors.
We cultivate the leadership potential of every young warrior, blending military leadership principles with Indigenous wisdom to inspire and guide them towards becoming influential leaders in their communities and beyond.
We celebrate the strength of our diversity and the power of collective action, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie among our young warriors as they train and grow together.
We set high standards of excellence in all aspects of training and development, encouraging our young warriors to strive for greatness and pursue their goals with unwavering dedication and passion.
Our Communication Methods & Approach
Our approach is pivotal to their success.
Tailor your messaging to resonate with the cultural values, traditions, and language of your target audience, particularly Indigenous youth in the Northern Territory. Use culturally appropriate imagery, stories, and symbols to convey authenticity and build trust.
Cultural Relevance
Build strong relationships with community leaders, elders, schools, and local organisations to gain credibility and reach a wider audience. Participate in community events, cultural celebrations, and youth gatherings to connect with potential mentees and their families.
Community Engagement
Share compelling stories of success, resilience, and transformation from past mentees who have benefited from Young Warriorz. Highlighting real-life examples can inspire hope and demonstrate the tangible impact of your program on the lives of youth in the community.
Storytelling
Mobilise current and former mentees as ambassadors for Young Warriorz, empowering them to share their experiences and encourage their peers to participate. Peer-to-peer outreach can be particularly effective in building rapport and fostering a sense of belonging among youth.
Peer-to-Peer Outreach
Utilise social media, websites, and online forums to raise awareness about Young Warriorz and engage with your target audience. Create visually appealing content, such as videos, infographics, and testimonials, to capture attention and spark interest in your program.
Digital Platforms
Use language that is accessible, inclusive, and engaging for youth, avoiding jargon or overly formal terminology. Speak directly to their aspirations, challenges, and interests, demonstrating empathy and understanding of their lived experiences.
Youth-Friendly Language
Partner with local schools, youth centres, Indigenous organisations, and government agencies to leverage their networks and platforms for promoting Young Warriorz. Co-host events, workshops, and information sessions to introduce your program to potential mentees and stakeholders.
Collaborative Partnerships
Actively seek feedback from your target audience to understand their needs, preferences, and concerns. Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of your communication strategies and adjust your approach based on insights and feedback received.
Feedback and Evaluation
Ensure that information about Young Warriorz is easily accessible and available, including printed materials, online resources, and verbal communication. Consider factors such as language preference, literacy levels, and accessibility requirements to reach a diverse audience.