Last weekend, the Collingwood Football Club was proud to host the inaugural Clontarf State of Origin Series and All-Australian selection for the Clontarf Foundation.
The three-day football carnival saw young and up-and-coming First Nation’s talent from across Australia descend on the AIA Vitality Centre, ready to demonstrate their skills and athleticism in a hope of winning the series or being selected in the All-Australian team.
The Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem, and employment opportunities of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men in a hope to equip them to participate more meaningfully in society.
The Foundation has 148 academies across Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, and the Northern Territory with 158 schools opting into the programme.
Collingwood great, Leon Davis also attended the carnival, speaking to the group about his journey, the cultural evolution of the Collingwood Football Club, and the importance of staying connected to culture when it comes to achieving your goals.
“I was able to connect really well with the groups as they were all young First Nation’s men. I shared my journey and experience of what it was like at the Club when I played and the change to what it is now.”
“I also spoke about the importance of culture and connecting First Nation’s players and staff to their culture in a club environment. I shared how staying connected to culture played a massive role in me achieving my goals and how important it is to continue fighting against racism in a positive way to make positive change moving forward.”
The Club was honoured to provide a platform for such a talented group of young men to showcase their football skills and connect over their love of sport.
Congratulations to the Northern Territory team who won the carnival and to all of those selected in the All-Australian team.
