Port Adelaide Football Club stars Daniel Motlop and Alipate Carlile visited the local community of Galiwinku (Elcho Island) a couple of weeks ago.
On Thursday the 24th September two of Port Adelaide’s high profile players, Daniel Motlop and Alipate Carlile volunteered their time, while on an end of season break to Darwin, to make a surprise visit to meet the local community of Galiwinku (Elcho Island).
The visit was organised and facilitated by members of NT Police Task Force Themis as a community engagement initiative, which coincided with the annual ‘Healthy Lifestyle Festival’, which ran between the 21st and 25th September.
Daniel Motlop is Darwin born and a popular identity amongst avid football fans across the Territory. Known for his extraordinary goal kicking ability, the forward started his AFL career with the North Melbourne Kangaroos playing with the Victorian based team between 2001 and 2005. Daniel moved to Port Power in 2005 and has been an instrumental part of the Adelaide team since.
The Fijian born Alipate Carlile, affectionately known as "Bobby" by his team mates, debuted for Port Adelaide in 2006 and is a rising star in the AFL. The solidly built fullback came to notice with his tenacious defensive style, and ability to continually frustrate the oppositions attack.
The players started with a visit to Shepparton School going to a number of junior and senior classrooms to meet the kids. Daniel and Alipate spoke briefly to each class about their backgrounds, and experiences as AFL players at the top level and importantly what steps and personal sacrifices they took to achieve this goal.
"The most important part of becoming a successful AFL player is commitment, being on time to training and having a good diet" said Daniel.
After an address to the one of the senior classes the boys mingled with the students and teachers, posing for photos and signing footballs and posters for the students.
Daniel and Alipate also spent a short time with some of the local senior football players at the community football ground, where Daniel gave an impromptu display of his goal kicking skills, amongst the many shouts and whistles of the locals. They then spoke to the senior players and re-enforced what is involved in making it as an elite AFL footballer.
"Attitude, discipline, a healthy lifestyle free from drugs and excessive alcohol usage are crucial" said Alipate.
Before leaving Daniel commented, "This is the sort of thing that most of our blokes never get to see, and I think that we should do these visits more often" he said.
Alipate added, "I really enjoyed it; it gave me a chance to experience the lifestyle of an NT indigenous community. The kids were great" he said.
Overall the visit was well received and it provided local community members a chance to meet some of their AFL hero’s.
A special thanks Constable Daniel Seden for organising the visit and to those members of the Galiwinku Police, Const 1/C Kellie Logan, ACPO Bettina Danganbarr and Sergeant Joe Hart for playing host the visit.
Also, special mention should go to the Galiwinku AFLNT Football Development Manager, Tavis Perry for his help and assistance with the visit.
Media Contact:
Natalie Bell
0427 660 594