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Sports forging pathways for the next generation

Responding to a national lack of First Nations and culturally diverse players in AFL, St Kilda Football Club (SKFC) is building on the success of its multicultural outreach program by engaging First Nations youth both on and off the field.

Before 2018, in the diverse communities around Moorabbin Airport in Melbourne’s south, few opportunities existed for young people to play organised sport. 

“Through sport, young people are able to be in an environment of safety and, importantly, structure,” says Jack Henty, Manager of Community Football Pathways and Partnerships at SKFC. “It’s really important for developing healthy habits and routines.”

Yet with no gear and limited access to coaches, 40% of school students in the area had never played organised sport. 

This finding, and more, was revealed in a 2016 report by the Australian Football League (AFL) called Future Directions of Football. Only 3% of players in the elite men's AFL competition were multicultural, yet around 50% of Australians are born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas. 

Another troubling statistic existed too. Around 10% of elite AFL players were Indigenous but their career lifespan was 25% shorter than non-Indigenous players. To address the gaps, the AFL founded the Next Generation Academy (NGA) program consisting of 18 academies around the country. 

"The airport has a real care and interest in the young people that come through our programs and a genuine desire to be a positive part of the community that surrounds it."

Through Goodman Foundation, Moorabbin Airport supported SKFC’s academy activities in the City of Greater Dandenong and Kingston from day one. “The airport has a real care and interest in the young people that come through our programs and a genuine desire to be a positive part of the community that surrounds it,” says Henty. 

Between 2019 and 2021, outreach activities took place in 70 schools. More than 10,000 primary school kids participated in the All Nations program with 12 scholarships awarded to multicultural boys and girls. Meanwhile, a work experience placement is open to a multicultural young person to enter the sports management industry. 

More recently, Moorabbin Airport’s partnership with SKFC expanded to support its Indigenous scholarship program. As part of this, all club employees - 40 male and 30 female players and around 100 administration staff - did training to ensure the club is an environment of true cultural safety able to attract the best First Nations talent. 

While removing barriers to participation for more Indigenous players is one goal - another is to contribute to the number of Indigenous youth finishing year 12. To support this, the academy provides off-field life skills such as nutrition, time management and mental fitness, both through experts as well as Indigenous players and mentees.