A few weeks back we participated in putting together some jumpers and boots for the kids of Jakarta suburbs who are discovering the thrills and spills of aussie rules under the guidance of an Australian Youth Ambassador, Chris Bandy, and the Jakarta Bintangs (expat team) captained by Dave Edwards who is a surveyor with Broadbeach club sponsor Seascape Surveys.
Broadie Juniors donated a set of 25 jumpers while Southport Juniors came good with some 82 comprising 4 sets of different training jumpers and a set of sharks juniors plus some pairs of football boots. Thanks to all involved. The fifteen team junior competition in Jakarta were beside themselves to receive the gear and Broadie or Southport player/supporters are invited to drop in if ever that way. Some images are available on 'caught in the Act' - click on the 'terimakasih' thumbnail, and for a good read on the development of aussie rules in Indonesia click on the attachment following the quotes below.
The quotes give some idea of the excitement generated by simple acts of generosity - they also suggest we may have some productive recruitment zones to the north! You never know what could evolve from this.
"The junior program here is starting to really gather steam…it’s great to see the local kids getting into it so seriously. There are already a couple of promising kids running around already – fairly amazing considering the facilities and limited opportunities here. Just need to get them on a decent diet, and fatten them up a bit."
"The jumpers are great! As we are just getting up and running with all this, any support we can get is greatly appreciated..."
"A few photos from training last night!! Rick if you could get the big kid with the knee brace in the photos playing for your boys you'd be doing well!! very talented after only 6 months of playing!"
"Jumpers are a hit, the kids love them and we'll use them for the upcoming tournament"
"... we deal primarily with the poorest children from Jakarta. We provide everything for these kids and they have very little, it is these jumpers and boots etc that keep them involved and excited."
"Working primarily in East and central Jakarta, with a few kids in Depok. Our guns actually come from Depok, good team and have 3 kids from Central Jakarta, Manggarai, who with the proper coaching could be anything, very handy footballers."
Once again, terima kasih banyak.
Last Modified on 16/11/2010 15:04
