AFL Northern Territory’s Remote Projects Department have joined forces with Northern Territory Football League clubs to create and improve talent opportunities available for remote players across the NT. Above: Boys from Maningrida along with AFLNT RDM Bernie Price line up for the BUffaloes.
"The NTFL Partnership Program was initiated with great cooperation from our NTFL Clubs to further develop and fast track the progression of our remote players into our talent pathways," said AFLNT Indigenous Programs Manager Kevin Bruce.
Each of AFLNT’s nine remote projects where full-time staff are located have been linked with an NTFL team to further foster and develop opportunities.
"So far, a total of 38 players from all over the Territory have participated in the program, where they not only play for an NTFL club, but spend 10 days supervised in Darwin learning life skills and participating in all training and recovery sessions that the club has," advised Bruce.
All NTFL clubs have been very supportive of the program and in welcoming players from remote areas into their clubs and AFLNT Hall of Famer, NTFL Life Member and Head Coach of the Darwin Buffaloes Mark Motlop has seen the direct benefits of the program.
"It has been great to reward these talented players in remote areas with an opportunity to play at NTFL level.
"The Buffaloes have enjoyed an extremely positive relationship with Maningrida this season. The club has been able to provide opportunities in Premier League, Division 1 and Under 18s for talented Maningrida players who are providing a positive impact within their community.
"The players have excelled with the opportunities that they have been given and continue to prove that they have the talent, commitment and focus to play at the highest level of football in the Northern Territory.
"We look forward to working with AFLNT and the Maningrida community to develop a long-standing partnership that has long term benefits."
AFLNT are looking for the next AFL stars and this program is aiming to bridge that gap and to see them one day on an AFL list.
"For us this program is as much about assisting to develop leaders and role models in the remote communities as it is to find the next Zeph Skinner, Austin Wonaeamirri or Ross Tungatalum," said Bruce.
"The NTFL Partnership Program will continue to develop over the next 12 months, by which time the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre will be operational and will provide extra opportunity to talented youth living in remote areas."
A summary of the NTFL Partnership Program is as follows:
Galiwinku and Palmerston Magpies Football Club
Seniors: Merrill Gurruwiwi (Premier), Gavin Dhurrkay (Premier), Jamie Burarrwanga, Jermaine Wunungmurra, Murphy Dhamarrandji, Carlos Burarrwanga,
Juniors: Lochlan Dhurrkay, Lorenzo Bukulatjpi
Maningrida and Darwin Buffaloes:
Seniors: Hezekiah Lawrence (Premier), Delwyn Burns (Premier), Juan Darwin (Premier), Tyrone Ankin (Premier), Davison Maxwell (Premier), Matias Burns (Premier), Sylvester Ohlsen, Anton Bonson,
Juniors: Davison Maxwell, Denzel Dudanga, Naveron Stewart, Robbie Ali
Ngukurr and Waratah Football Club
Seniors: Daven Hall (Premier), Gene Daniels, Michael Joshua, Mario Joshua, Ashton Wunumurra
Hermannsburg and Nightcliff Football Club
Seniors: Baydon Ngalkin (Premier), Jasper Wheeler (Premier), Matthew Moketarinja, Ronnie Malthouse, Jordan Armstrong
Gapuwiyak and St Marys Football Club
Seniors: Benson Wunungmurra, Emmunual Guyula, Thomas Guyula, Justin Gurruwiwi
Groote Eylandt and Wanderers Football Club
Seniors: Basil Bara
Juniors: Glen Amalgula, Angus Kerindan