Recognised as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of AFLNT, the AFLNT Remote Projects have a broad focus that includes positive; social, health, education and employment outcomes. The comprehensive delivery of football programs in remote Aboriginal communities is also unique to AFLNT and no other AFL state bodies.
The remote projects are situated in locations from the tropical top end to the red deserts of Central Australia including the following regions and communities; Central Australia, Lajamanu, Wadeye, Tiwi Islands, Maningrida, Elcho Island, Gove and Groote Eylandt. Previous regions where the projects have been based include Ngukurr, Borroloola, Gapuwiyak and Gunbalanya. Serviced areas include communities, outstations and homelands.
All football initiatives are participatory driven to include; children, youth and adults (males and female) in various programs. Football activities involve targeted messaging and specific programs based on advice from community elders, funding bodies and service providers. The remote projects are delivered in a culturally sensitive manner with consideration for local customs, traditions and cultural practices.
Eleven Remote Development Managers (RDMs) are employed to live in the remote regions to deliver the following projects:
- AFL Barkly
- AFL Big Rivers (formerly AFL Katherine)
- AFL Central Australia
- AFL Galiwin'ku (formerly Elcho Island Football)
- AFL Gove (formerly Nhulunbuy Football)
- AFL Groote Eylandt
- AFL Lajamanu (formerly Lajamanu Football)
- AFL Maningrida
- AFL Tiwi Islands
- AFL Wadeye
An overview of the football themed activities delivered by the Remote Development Managers are as follows:
- Facilitating local community-based football competitions for adult males and females, youth males and females and modified junior competitions.
- Junior Game Development programs to promote AFL skill development, including school based and community wide ‘Auskick’ and ‘Thunder Juniors’ programs.
- School based football initiatives to promote school attendance, leadership, sportsmanship and teamwork. Healthy lifestyle choices, mentoring and leadership are also major components of the school-based programs along with educational support.
- The Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre (MLLLC) - providing a conduit between the Darwin based MLLLC program and students from remote community schools. Facilitating the pre and post camp programs and assisting the selection of students for camps.
- Facilitating and managing remote community football carnivals and festivals for multiple remote community in a safe, welcoming and structured environment. Ensuring all remote community carnivals don’t impact school attendance and community harmony.
- Facilitate community-based umpiring, coaching and football administration training courses and accreditations.
- Assist in identifying talented footballers for NT state academy teams and programs for all participating age groups and genders.
- Assisting the Geelong Cats, Melbourne Demons, Hawthorn Hawks, Essendon Bombers and Collingwood Magpies Football Clubs, complete their Next Generation Academy commitments throughout the remote regions of the NT.
- Providing opportunities for local trainee positions, CDP hosted agreements and casual roles to work for AFLNT.