AFL and NCAS Help Out the Clontarf Foundation

The AFL and North Coast Academy of Sport joined forces last week to support the Clontarf Foundation in staging the Kings of the North Coast Basketball Carnival at Melville High, Kempsey.

Staff from both organisations set up Draft Combine style testing stations on the court next to the show court, with members of each of the five teams put through a series of physiological tests. The tests mirror those used at the Draft Combine and are designed to determine their speed over 5m, 10m, and 20m, their vertical jump ability, and their agility. These are all abilities that are vitally important in both Basketball and AFL and to most other sports.

The carnival and sport science testing involved teams representing the Clontarf Academies at Kempsey High, Melville High, Hastings Secondary College (Port Macquarie), and Chatham High (Taree).

The Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and by doing so equips them to participate meaningfully in society. The vehicle for achieving this outcome is football. The Foundation uses the existing passion that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys have for football to attract them into school and keep them there.

Paul Taylor, Football Operations Co-ordinator, said that involvement in the carnival was a highly worthwhile experience. “The Clontarf Foundation does incredible work supporting Indigenous youth and the AFL was honoured to be able to help out. With sport being a key driver of the Foundation’s work, and footy a particular focal area, we’re really glad that we could be involved and add value to the carnival.”

“The boys will get copies of their testing results which will show them where their physiological strengths are and hopefully encourage them to continue their involvement with sport.”

“Special thanks to D’Arcy from North Coast Academy of Sport who made a huge effort to be part of the day, and whose sport science testing expertise was invaluable.”

Since opening its first Academy for 25 boys in 2000 the Clontarf Foundation has grown to cater for over 5,600 boys in 92 schools across Western Australia, Northern Territory, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. For more information on the Foundation go to their website.