Daniel Wells believes a lack of confidence can be one of the biggest challenges facing young footballers today, in particular Indigenous young people.

An elite footballer and a North Melbourne leader, Wells admits it’s an area he and teammate Lindsay Thomas have both struggled with.

“When you’re a young Indigenous boy, confidence is something that can be zapped pretty quickly,” Wells told NMFC.com.au.

“Being shy is something that’s always been there in Aboriginal culture...but you have just got to put yourself out there. I think it (self-confidence) develops over time, you’re going to get situations throughout the day when some days you’ll want to take it on and other days you’re not feeling quite up to it.”

On Friday, Wells and Thomas spoke to 25 young Indigenous boys from Western Australia about their individual journeys overcoming their fears both personally and in their football careers.

“Myself and Lindsay really look forward to speaking to these kids because we were once like that when we were young and we just want to give them the confidence to take life on in whatever you want to do.

“It can be very difficult, especially if you don’t have that support but like I said to the boys, you’ve got to take that chance and see what you’re capable of doing.”

Wells acknowledged Thomas’ self-belief after the demons of his 2011 season.  

“It’s all about how you respond to different circumstances, Lindsay responded well in his kicking and his football.

“With the way he plays and speaks now, you can tell he’s worked on it and he’s made the choice that this is who he wants to be.”

Once they complete this year, the 31 grade 12 students from Geraldton Senior College will be the largest group of Indigenous students to finish school together in Australian history.

The students are all a part of the Midwest Clontarf Academy which exists to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal men.