Page 26 - AFL QUEENSLAND 2013 YEAR IN REVIEW

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KICKSTART
This program gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes the opportunity to develop the skills required to succeed within an elite AFL environment.
Kickstart had a new look in 2013 with the National Kickstart Championships being held for the first time in Townsville.
As part of the expansion of the Kickstart Program, the inaugural U18 Female KickStart Championships were held in Melbourne in September.
Queensland enjoyed an exceptional carnival, finishing third overall and having seven players selected in the National U18 Female Kickstart Squad. One of these young women had never played AFL before, illustrating just how effective the program is at unearthing raw talent.
AFL INDIGENOUS ROUND
Indigenous Round saw the Brisbane Lions play the Carlton Blues in one of the best attended matches played at the Gabba this year.
The Lions ran a Lion Hearted Leaders program
in the week leading up to the match and LEAP program participants attended the game
along with fellow Indigenous Auskickers. AFL Indigenous Programs staff were interviewed and Murri School dancers performed on field while local dancers performed at selected gates around arena. Festivities also included a ‘Welcome to Country’ and the Australian national anthem sung in traditional language.
AFL CAPE YORK HOUSE
It was a fantastic outcome for AFL Cape York with the opening of AFL Cape York House, which houses currently 30+ indigenous boys from Cape York and the Torres Strait Islands.
AFL Cape York House is a boarding facility
with the objective of providing educational, employment and training opportunities for young Indigenous people from Far North Queensland’s remote communities in a culturally appropriate, safe and secure residential environment in Cairns to ensure young people reach their full potential.
AFL GOORI CHALLENGE
AFLQ had a significant win in the Northern Rivers region with the inaugural AFL Goori Challenge being held at West Casino AFC.
One hundred students from four schools attended the day which comprised of healthy living workshops run by a local indigenous anti-tobacco service, cultural history conducted by a local indigenous elder and AFL simple skill learning and matches.
The Goori Challenge was a significant event, as the Northern Rivers Indigenous community is very rugby league focused. Having 100 primary school students say they want to do more AFL and be a part of next year’s event
was a great win for the region.
JESSE GREEN
INDIGENOUS PROGRAMS COORDINATOR
INDIGENOUS PROGRAMS