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Media Release
$2 MILLION BOOST FOR CLONTARF FOOTBALL ACADEMY – KICKING GOALS ON AND OFF THE FIELD
22 August 2005 MIN 1180/05
An innovative programme that re-connects Indigenous students into formal schooling through football academies has been further boosted with a $1.92 million grant from the Australian Government.
The football academies, run by the Clontarf Foundation, currently have two hundred and forty six students participating. To be accepted and maintain a position in the programme, boys must demonstrate an ongoing commitment towards training and their school education.
Training takes place three times a week and revolves around the school timetable with participants receiving specialist coaching and mentoring from coaches and players drawn from the AFL and WAFL.
The football academies have contributed to significant improvements in attendance and retention of Indigenous students at the partner schools. The students develop enhanced self-esteem and use the knowledge and experience they gain through the programme to make healthy lifestyle decisions relating to exercise, diet, nutrition and alcohol and substance abuse.
The students’ successful transition from school to work is another standout feature of the programme, with more than 75% of the academies’ year 12 graduates gaining employment.
The football academies have been established at Clontarf Aboriginal College (Waterford), Yule Brook College (Maddington), Eastern Goldfields Senior High School (Kalgoorlie-Boulder) and the Geraldton Senior High School (Mid-West), all in Western Australia. Ex-Dockers coach, Gerard Neesham, is the founder, CEO and inspiration behind the academies.
The funding announced today is in addition to previous grants totalling $850,000 provided by the Australian Government since 2001, and recognises the significant educational benefits received by the students who take part in the programmes. Over the 2005-08 period, the Australian Government will invest over $2.1 billion in Indigenous Education - a 23.4% increase over the previous four year funding period.
I congratulate Gerard Neesham and the Clontarf Foundation, not only for their vision and leadership in driving these academies, but also for their ongoing practical efforts to help close the educational divide between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.
Media Contacts:
Dr Nelson’s Office: Yaron Finkelstein 0414 927 663
Dept of Education, Science & Training: Sally Harris 02 6240 8363
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