DARREN MONCRIEFF
Sunday 26 February 2012
IT is often touted as the spiritual centre of Indigenous football in this country but the Northern Territory is the only state in Australia that does not yet have an elite training facility.
That could change, however, with a centre planned to be a 'one-stop shop' to meet that demand, specifically aimed at Indigenous youth, and named after one of the Territory's widely-recognised figures.
The Michael Long NT Thunder Learning and Leadership Centre is a planned $15 million venture that will, among other objectives, seek to keep Indigenous youth in school and develop leadership outcomes with football the vehicle.
Its key aims are to act as a catalyst for Indigenous children in remote schools to stay in school, to develop leadership and job skills and to keep active in sport.
Coaching and umpire accreditation courses are also planned to be delivered as part of the expansive football program.
The proposed centre, to be located at TIO Stadium (Marrara Oval), is another step in AFLNT's far-sighted expansion plans following the appointment of three regional development managers in remote areas last year, bringing to seven the number of football RDMs throughout the Territory.
"We are struggling to keep Indigenous kids in school, yet education is everything! Without education we will never be able to address the issues our communities face," said the former football great, Michael Long.
"The same goes for leadership. We need more leaders in our communities and we need Indigenous kids to become strong role models and to have a positive influence on their peers.
"The Learning and Leadership Centre is a dream, and it will be a place where our young Indigenous kids can come to learn in a safe, modern environment but where they will also be immersed in footy, as it is our love of our national sport that unites us all.
"The Centre will become the focal point for young Indigenous Territorians who want to become leaders."
Already, $4m has been secured from the AFL ($1.5m) and the NT Government ($2.5m). This week, AFLNT will know whether it has been successful in securing $7.5m from the Regional Development Australia Fund. The remaining $3.5m from the ABA is dependent upon the funding from the RDAF.
The area targetted for the residential component of the centre include East Arnhem, Victoria-Daly River, Roper Gulf, West Arnhem, MacDonell, Barkly Shire, Centre Desert and the Tiwi Islands.
Here's part of what will become the proposed NT Thunder Learning and Leadership Centre:
* Include state-of-the-art training facilities, eg: gym, pool, lecture theatre, dormitory accommodation for up to 70 people, office space, dining room, locker room;
* Build on the success of AFLNT’s remote projects to date;
* Expand the program to more communities in order to provide a unique sporting and educational model;
* Cater for Indigenous male and female students from communities throughout the NT in the 12 to 17 years age range.
Housed within the centre will be the NT Thunder Academy. There are several aspects to the academy, among them being:
* Provide an opportunity for young Indigenous Territorians in remote communities to learn new life skills by exposing them to employment and training opportunities, healthy lifestyle choices and leadership activities in an intense residential environment using football as the key motivator;
* Provide an opportunity for Indigenous players to avail of elite facilities and programs, which will better prepare regional and remote players for talent programs;
* Offer teams travelling from remote and regional NT safe and affordable accomodationfor the duration of their stay.
The academy will be unique to the NT in that it will be the first Indigenous academy purpose-built to utilise sport as an educational tool.
Ultimately, the academy will prepare Indigenous students for higher education, training or life in the workforce.
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 26/02/2012 21:52