Five Victorian Indigenous players were given the opportunity to further develop their game in 2014 after recently taking part in the Rio Tinto Footy Means Business program.
Each year the Footy Means Business program provides up to 50 indigenous men, aged 18 to 24-year-old, exposure to elite AFL training and corporate networking opportunities to strengthen their leadership and teamwork skills, this year incorporating coaching support from former AFL players Aaron Davey and David Rodan.
The five Victorians, Anthony Tipungwuti, Alex Saunders, Kayan Bundle, Andrew Murray and Jason Williams, were selected based on their football ability, community engagement and potential to serve as role models and all trialled for VFL lists in 2014.
All five were involved in a week long camp in Perth in February, taking part in intensive training, as well as a range of cultural, educational and community activities culminating in a game between the Davey and Rodan squads at Bassendean Oval, with a number of the Victorian players impressing.
“The program provides a unique opportunity for these five young men, to learn from the likes of Aaron and David, as well as network with fellow Indigenous players from all over Australia, sharing their experiences and stories,” AFL Victoria Indigenous Programs Manager Aaron Clark said.
“Programs like this aim to help increase the number of Indigenous players selected to play at state and elite AFL level and it is a credit to all five players for their determination and hard work over summer that they aimed to gain a spot on a VFL list in 2014.”
Former Gippsland Power player Alex Saunders proved why he was given a spot on Richmond’s new VFL list this year with a best of ground performance in the Davey versus Rodan squad game at the end of the camp.
His squad coach David Rodan was impressed with the new VFL Tiger, especially with his dedication to the program in the lead up to the game.
“He (Saunders) has got his body in really good condition after a VFL preseason, and he showed that on the Saturday voted best on ground for his ability to get to every stoppage, his grunt and his nice left foot kick to finish off all the hard work,” Rodan said.
“He was outstanding on the day and is working on his leadership as well which is something that gradually built for him during the week.”
Rodan believes the Victorian players held their own in the squad game, and learnt what was expected of them as they try to take their football to the next level.
“I think these players were able to start to understand what is required to get to that next step to AFL level, so that is what we tried to build during the week, pretty much saying if you do get on an AFL list this is what it will be like.
“There are a lot of meetings, a lot of time spent indoors and it is not all about being on the football field.
“I think the major part was highlighting what is required from a mental aspect.
“It was a massive week for the guys, and a lot of them would not of have this sort of training leading into a game so for the guys to get up physically and mentally said a lot about them.”
Andrew Murray and Kayan Bundle have both been added to the Casey Scorpions list in 2014.
Murray played senior football last year for Wonthaggi, and is seen as ready for the move to the VFL.
“He is a classy left footer, an outside player who is very clean and reads the play well, and his workrate was quite impressive as well,” Rodan said of his performance at Footy Means Business.
Bundle was part of the inaugural Laguntas program in 2013, that aims to further develop the pathway to the AFL competition for Indigenous players, as well as providing training and education to support the off field development.
“After being part of the Laguntas program last year, Kayan’s development will be further enhanced by Footy Means Business and being exposed to a full preseason and year on the list at Casey in 2014,” Rodan said.
Casey Scorpions are currently in the final stages of developing an Indigenous personal development program for 15-18 year old indigenous footballers in the South East region.
Anthony Tipungwuti begins his second year on Essendon’s VFL list, playing 10 games in his debut season in 2013 after graduating from Gippsland Power in the TAC Cup competition.
“Anthony is a very talented player and has benefitted from two VFL preseasons to develop his fitness base which was highlighted during the camp in Perth,” Rodan said.
Jason Williams – who trialled with Collingwood in the preseason – was one of three captains named for the Rodan squad.
“He was a standout straight away in terms of his leadership, knowing exactly what he wanted to get out of the program and his aims for the future,” Rodan said.
“He speaks about being ready now (to take the next step), and how he wasn’t at the time (with Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup in 2011).”
The next stage of the Footy Means Business program will see a second training camp take place in Melbourne in the week leading up to the AFL's Indigenous Round. That camp will culminate in the Rio Tinto Cup, which is the curtain-raiser match to the Dreamtime at the 'G clash at the MCG which will be a major highlight for all involved.
“All players have set goals, some onfield and some off field goals that they want to achieve.
“Some are work related, short time goals of a certain time in the beep test, to other to play every game at state level which some of these guys will achieve after what they have displayed so far.
“The next few months are important to see their development later at the end of May when they play at the ‘G that they are continuing to play a high level of football.
“We will continue to reiterate to them that they have been selected as the best Indigenous talent in Australia that were not drafted, and they should continue to aim as high as possible with their football careers.”
Last Modified on 13/03/2014 09:59