The Dandenong and South East Region's bevy of talented young Indigenous footballers are quickly making a name for themselves after a good display at the weekend’s Kickstart High Performance Camp. The Kickstart Program is designed to enhance the on and off field development of U15 Indigenous footballers and give them opportunities to strengthen their cultural identity.
The weekend’s camp at Visy Park saw 50 youngsters come to together to for education sessions, training runs and a practice match, giving participants a chance to get to know one another and also show their football wares. Seven players from Dandenong were invited to the camp after being selected from a locally conducted trial at Shepley Oval.
The night in late February also included a selection trial for the ALL Nations Victorian Squad which aims to provide opportunities for boys who were born overseas from a non-English background. Held in conjunction with a special launch of the Koorie NAB Auskick program, more than 150 people turned out, including some home-grown favourite sons.
Jay Kennedy- Harris (Melbourne FC), Billy Hartung (Hawthorn FC), Nathan Wright and Tom Curran (St Kilda FC) all attended, with former Kickstart representative Kennedy-Harris helping to explain the benefits and opportunities of being involved with AFL Victoria’s Indigenous and Multicultural Programs.
AFL Victoria Trainee Pete Dye who organised the night said the big attendance was really pleasing. “A lot of work goes into to trying to strengthen the local Multicultural and Indigenous communities’ ties with Australian football,” he said.
“To see Shepley Oval full of youngsters who are having so much fun playing football is really satisfying. We must thank South East Melbourne Medicare Local and the City of Greater Dandenong for without them the event just wouldn’t have been possible.”
Rising stars Leigh Pompononie, Jamaine Urquhart-Morgan and Joel Garner, all members of the Eastern Ranges Under 15 squad, were part of the contingent of seven who progressed to the High Performance Camp, with Pompononie and Urquhart-Morgan hoping to make the final Kickstart Squad for the second consecutive year.
AFL Victoria Indigenous Programs Manager Aaron Clark said the trio was very talented but all the boys who progressed from the Dandenong trials had impressed with commitment and willingness to learn.
Last Modified on 04/03/2014 17:07