The young Indigenous men are a part of the Rio Tinto ‘Footy Means Business’ program which is delivered by AFL SportsReady and the AFL and traveled to La Trobe’s Melbourne Campus on Wednesday 24 May.
The program exposes participants to the routines of professional AFL players, supporting them to gain employment and introduces them to university life with potential education and career opportunities.
While at La Trobe players took part in a tour of the campus, university presentations from academics and sport activities.
The week culminated in the 50 men participating in a pre-game match before the annual Essendon vs Richmond ‘Dreamtime at the G match’.
La Trobe Executive Director of Indigenous Strategy and Education Professor Mark Rose said the initiative was one that the University fully supports.
“The Footy Means Business program provides a great opportunity to bring together young Indigenous men from around Australia and show them various employment and education opportunities that La Trobe has to offer,” Professor Rose said.
“The University’s involvement in the program highlights its commitment to the expansion of Indigenous education.”
CEO of AFL SportsReady James Montgomery said it was a great opportunity for the young men to experience university life.
“We see this program as a great way to expose a talented group of young men to a variety of career pathways and our partnership with La Trobe University is an important part of that opportunity,” Mr Montgomery said.
Media Contact: Dylan May – d.may@latrobe.edu.au - 9479 5353 / 0407125909
