NORTH MELBOURNE midfielder Daniel Wells has praised the Qantas KickStart camp for helping to give indigenous youths a head start in life.

KickStart’s 49 participants watched the Kangaroos train on Thursday ahead of their own session at Arden Street Oval run by former AFL stars Jason McCartney and Dale Kickett.

Wells said programs like Kickstart and the Clontarf Academy in Western Australia – designed to encourage Aboriginal teenagers to stay in school – were extremely important in steering youth towards positive life choices.

He encouraged the KickStart players to make the most of opportunities he only wished were on offer to him as a developing player.

"We didn’t really have any kind of programs like that – it was only six years ago – so for these kids to have a head start like that is ... they’ve just got to take it with both hands," Wells told afl.com.au.

"And I think with a lot of these programs you don’t have to be the best footy player, as long as you’re doing the right things at school, getting an education, attendance, handing in assignments, things like that. You can pretty much make these programs just like that and it’s just a reward for all your hard work."

Wells acknowledged his transition into AFL ranks was a challenge, particularly the relocation from his West Australian home to Victoria.

But the 23-year-old said that realising what was before him helped him to push through.

"You play at the highest level and you know, see where you’re at," he said. "And as soon as you realise that, of course you’re going to get homesick and stuff like that, but just realise that you don’t get too many opportunities to play against the best players at the best venues around Australia."

KickStart’s sole Tasmanian representative for 2008, 14-year-old Mitchell Purton, hopes to one day pull on the St Kilda guernsey and replicate the feats of his hero Robert Harvey.

However, two days into the five-day camp, Purton has already learned that the KickStart program is about more than football.

"I’ve learned lots more about myself that I didn’t know and it’s been really exciting, a lifetime opportunity," Purton said.

"We met Cathy Freeman and she told us all about how your body’s a champion and treat it like a champion, like what to eat, and not eat junk food all the time if you want to be a professional.”

When Purton returns home at the end of the week, he will be armed with knowledge, inspiration and confidence from role models such as Freeman, Wells, McCartney and Kickett.

"Being with the group of boys that we’re with, you get a lot more confidence and you learn to stand up and speak in front of people and be more of a leader, a team leader," he said.

"So, it’s really great."