Following the success of last year’s ARA First Nations Academy tour to the Red Centre, a new contingent of youth boys and girls from the club’s program will return to Alice Springs and Uluru next month, as part of our continual cultural development program.

The week long tour in the Northern Territory will see athletes, selected by coaches from all hubs of the program, will take part in games in Alice Springs, Marn Grook with the Mutitjulu community, while immersing themselves in the local culture and learning from the community.

“I think the week blends into the NAIDOC Week theme and that it's all about the next generation. This week was purely about our next generation, not only athletically but personally and I think across the week we've seen tremendous growth in both areas, I'm sure those participants will go away with fond memories,” said Jarred Hodges, Sydney Swans Manager – First Nations Strategy & Player Development when reflecting on last year’s tour.

“For me, it was obviously that deep cultural connection, we've worked really hard through our ARA First Nations Academy program, and had assistance from the Black Dog Institute, around social and emotional well-being being the foundation of our program, and a huge part of that is connection.

“Connection to country, connection to culture, connection to ancestors, stories, kin. And that's the part I think I'm most proud of, is what the Red Centre provides in terms of connection.

“I will say as well the growth is building strong young First Nations people, strong in their culture, strong in their identity. Building positive social emotional well-being gives us the best chance of changing some of the statistics around our youth.

“I guess if we had one word, it's just strength, we want our kids and our people being strong in who they are, we want them to be able to walk around and proudly identify but also we want them to give them the skills and knowledge that they can pass on to broader Australia as we all keep working towards a united country. I think with First Nations people at the centre of that, we hold a huge responsibility of spreading the message of coming together.”

With just weeks remaining this financial year, there is still time to make a meaningful difference to the ARA First Nations Academy.

Through our Sydney Swans Foundation, you can donate to help shape futures that last a lifetime: providing opportunities for more First Nations young people to participate, bringing cultural camps and community-led experiences to life, creating stronger pathways into the QBE Sydney Swans Academy and investing in mentoring, education and social and emotional wellbeing.

Click here to learn more or to make a difference.