The Gold Coast SUNS have launched their first Indigenous program at Queensland’s most Northern point, the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA).
The No Boundaries Partnership program will see the Gold Coast SUNS work with AFL Cape York, NPA College and NPARC to deliver a program that over time will see players :
- Talking with Principles, teachers, parents, elders to explain program objectives and highlight the things parents can do to support the program
- Co ordinating In School and after school coaching clinics
- Deliver healthy lifestyle and nutrition messages
- Assist teachers to deliver curriculum themed on AFL where required
- Assist students with in class reading
- Deliver practical coaching courses for volunteer coaches where required
- Attend special community events
- Adopt and visit individual communities with community children, after school
- Act as mentors and demonstrate leadership
Gold Coast SUNS Players Jarrod Harbrow and Rex Liddy recently travelled to the remote NPA region which includes communities such as Bamaga, Injinoo, New Mapoon, Seisia and Umagico.
As part of the trip, Harbrow and Liddy who have just been announced as the Gold Coast SUNS indigenous Ambassadors for 2011, engaged with communities both in schools and out in the community (as these photos show).
The program will also see Gold Coast SUNS players travel to the NPA region (Bamaga) again during the year in July to continue the initial work done in March.
Community Programs Manager Corey Bell said “As a club we are excited to be able to be part of the No Boundaries program in the NPA region. The work the players do will hopefully provide long lasting experiences and outcomes to the people within these communities”.
The program will also see the exchange of some of those participants in the program, participate in an exchange program in August, that will involve many experiences on the Gold Coast including attending the Gold Coast SUNS game against the Adelaide Crows at Metricon Stadium.
