Telling year 10 boys that walking away from violence is always the best option is nothing they have not heard before.

But when world champion boxers Sam Soliman and Sam Colomban walk into their classrooms to deliver the ‘Choices’ program, their audience is held captive from beginning to end.

Following the recent introduction of new weapons laws, the Victorian Department of Justice was looking for new and engaging ways to encourage teenagers to walk away from violence and think twice about carrying weapons such as knives.

Commonwealth Games welterweight boxer Colomban, who came to Australia in 2006 from Cameroon said, “When I was younger I made some bad choices and got into a lot of dangerous situations which could have got me seriously hurt or killed.

“I think it is critical to talk to boys at an age where they begin to define their identity as men and Choices is unique because it forces the boys to look at the possible consequences of their actions and provides them with the tools of how to walk away.”

This is the second year Collingwood Football Club has partnered with the Department of Justice to support anti-violence messages to young people, and the club understands the importance of young people having role models that they can look up to.

Midfielder Dane Swan said he hoped young people would listen to the message that the campaign was aiming to relay.

“The Choices campaign is sending a very important message to young men; that walking away from violent situations is always the best choice.”

This year Collingwood and program ambassador Swan joined with the City of Yarra to run the ‘Yarra Brave’ program.

Designed to give young people the opportunity to participate in a high-quality gym-based fitness program in a supported and varied environment in the City of Yarra, it aims to introduce participants to local leisure centres and recreation settings, as well as gain an understanding of activities available to them. The target group for this program is young people living in the Collingwood Housing Estate who lack the opportunities, to participate in a high-quality gym-based programs at local leisure centres and at Collingwood’s Westpac Centre.

Choices has now run out through more than 15 schools across Victoria, and with the support of Collingwood, it will continue throughout 2012.

To find out more visit www.livenofear.com.au.