In June of this year, our AFL Academy students headed north for 7 days in Darwin which included a trip to the Tiwi Islands and a game against students from the Melville Island community. During this game one of the Academy year 12 students David Fruscalzo decided to pass his boots onto his opponent from the game as all the Tiwi players played barefoot during the game. Even our players played barefoot for the second half.
As a result of this great gesture by David, AFL Academy coach Andrew Komp and student parent Angela Ballard have joined forces to send a whole heap of football gear to our friends on the Tiwi Islands.
With thanks to the Downer Group who have agreed to transport all the gear to the Tiwi Islands, Maribyrnong College students within the AFL and Football programs are being asked to bring their old boots into school for collection. We are also collecting old footy jumpers, shorts and socks and giving the Kids on the Tiwi Islands a chance to dress like their favourite players.
Mr Komp has told the Academy website that the opportunity to do something for the Tiwi community is one that can't be missed, " Our game against the kids from the Tiwi Islands on our recent trip was a real eye opener for our students and staff. While the community on Melville is fairly impoverished, every person on the island continually smiles and is just happy to be alive. This really touched our travelling group and we all left the Island believing we could do more. So this idea was born, and we hope we can make it an annual tradition."
"We are asking our student athletes from our AFL and Football programs to bring in their old boots that don't fit them anymore. Instead of throwing them away, let's send them up North and give the kids up there a chance to live out their football dreams looking the part."
Maribyrnong Sports Academy appreciates the support from the Downer Group and their Partnership demonstrates career pathways program, which is currently working with Nyangatjatjara College in the Northern Territory to create a work exposure program to educate the students about the businesses and careers outside their communities..
If you would like to donate some old football gear please leave your donations at the Sports Academy reception inside the Rob Carroll Stadium.