Initiatives

 Ashleigh Pisani

AFL is employed as a strategy to combat numerous problems in the Northern Territory. The federal government has invested nearly three million dollars in the last budget, on football programmes. These programmes have been identified as an effective way to keep young Indigenous children in school and see them complete their education up to year twelve. A fifteen million dollar AFL Academy was opened in July of this year in Darwin by the Federal Government for more than 2000 male and female students living in remote areas. As well as teaching AFL, the condition of entry into the academy is that students must prove regular attendance at school as well as have had a health check in the last year. This program provides powerful motivation for Indigenous children to continue with their studies that otherwise may not be present, particularly if they are from a family that has received limited education themselves and therefore may not necessarily value it. 

There are other AFL programs that operate in regional Australia that are sponsored by the individual clubs. One such program is administered by the West Coast Eagles, who manage the David Wirrpanda Foundation. This program does not just teach AFL but also teaches its students about the importance of healthy living, such as maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise. It also aims to impart lessons on acceptable behaviour and educates the children on drugs and alcohol.  While providing them with 21 full-time and 19 part-time Indigenous role models who are there for the children to seek advice from as well as giving them someone from a similar cultural background to look up to. Since commencing operations in 2005, the Foundation has established six successful programs in Perth, regional areas in Western Australia as well as in Victoria and New South Wales.

                                                           David Wirrpanda

These programs contribute to contemporary Indigenous living because they are designed for the crucial purpose of closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children. Education is the most critical factor in overcoming disadvantage and last year only 21% of Indigenous students completed year twelve compared to 79% of non-Indigenous students. Therefore if these programs are a success, then AFL has the power to transform lives by ensuring students remain in school and receive the benefits of education.

References
2012, ‘New AFL academy for indigenous kids’, News.com, 26 July, viewed 13th of September, http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/new-football-academy-for-indigenous-kids/story-e6frfku9-1226424232641
David Wirrpanda Foundation, 2012, ‘About Us’, viewed 28^th of September, http://www.dwf.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=82&Itemid=156
IndigenousHealthInfoNet, 2012, ‘Programs and Projects’,  viewed 30^th of September, http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/key-resources/programs-projects
Creative Spirits, 2012, “Aboriginal Education’, viewed 5^th of October, http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/education/
Department of Early Childhood and Development, 2012, ‘Students Successfully completing Year 12 or equivalent’, viewed 5^th of October, http://www.education.vic.gov.au/researchinnovation/vcams/children/16-2completingyear12.htm