Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

AFL indigenous program receives Beyond Sport Award

AFL indigenous program receives Beyond Sport Award
December 9, 2011

The program was nominated in the Sport Federation or Governing Body of the Year category and was among 400 entries from more than 125 countries.

AFL Community Engagement Manager Jason Mifsud accepted the award in Cape Town, South Africa on Wednesday night.

AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou said he was extremely proud of the Flying Boomerangs program and the recognition it had received, stating "the AFL game, with the support of our players, our clubs, government and our major partners, has been focused heavily on building greater access to our game.

"More than 10% of players at the elite AFL level have an indigenous background and we have sought to use the game to increase opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

"This is a tremendous recognition of the work being done across the football industry, with support from so many people, for better sporting, health, leadership, education and employment outcomes for Indigenous people across Australia.

"To have our program recognised internationally is very rewarding."

The Flying Boomerangs is a personal development and leadership program for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men aged 14 and 15 years of age.

The program incorporates a match series against developing international countries (South Africa 2006 and 2008, PNG 2009 and Tonga 2010 and Fiji 2011). The participants are selected from an annual camp that involves players from throughout Australia and are mentored by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and former Australian Football League players.

The 2011 Flying Boomerangs tour to Fiji commences on Sunday 12th December. The Flying Boomerangs engage in leadership sessions, a cultural exchange and will play matches against Under-15 Oceania and South Pacific teams.

Other nominees in the Sport Federation or Governing Body of the Year category were the International Table Tennis Federation and the National Hockey League Green program (US & Canada).

The award was judged by the Beyond Sport Panel of Ambassadors, which is chaired by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The panel includes the Beyond Sport official patron Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Olympic Gold medalists Michael Johnson, Michelle Ford and Sergey Bubka; Special Olympics Chairman and Chief Executive Timothy Shriver and 2012 London Olympics Chair Lord Sebastian Coe.

The Beyond Sport Community Awards winners receive funding and a package of substantial business support to enable them to move forward and become fully sustainable in the future.

There were 12 categories in the 2011 Beyond Sport Awards covering the entire sporting spectrum of health, social inclusion, corporate and social responsibility and philanthropy.

The categories were split into three clear sections - Beyond Sport Community Awards; Corporation and Federation Awards; and the Judges' Awards.

Federal Minister for Sport Mark Arbib has congratulated the AFL on winning the award was fitting recognition of the work the AFL does to promote opportunities for Indigenous Australians in the sport.

Senator Arbib stated "it is fantastic to see an Australian sporting organisation gaining international recognition for the great work they're doing with young Indigenous Australians.

"A win against such a competitive field, including some of the world's biggest international sports, demonstrates how successful the Flying Boomerangs program has been."

23rd November 2011 - CANTERBURY SIGNS UP TO SUPPORT BEYOND SPORT

25th October 2011 - NEW SPORTING PROGRAM FOR MULTICULTURAL YOUTH

9th December 2010 - REMOTE FACILITY BUILDS ON COMMUNITY SUPPORT


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Pricemark Pty Ltd

Pricemark supplies a wide range of custom branded membership & RFID access products for the Health & Leisure Industry. 

read more

Access

 
 

Links Modular Solutions

Links Modular Solutions was a leading provider of high-quality, innovative software solutions for aquatic and recreation facilities. Links Modular Solutions is now part of Xplor Technologies.

read more

Access / Billing / Finance / Fitness / Technology

 
 

ProSlide Technology

ProSlide is the global leader in water ride design and manufacturing, supplying high-performance water attractions to new and expanding water parks around the world. For over three decades, ProSlide…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Waterparks

 
 

AIS Water

AIS Water, the trading name of Australian Innovative Systems, is a multi-award winning, Australian owned leader in the design, production and supply of commercial and residential chlorine generators…

read more

Aquatics / Safety / Technology

 
 

Exerp

Exerp is a global IT specialist in member management software for the fitness and leisure industry. By focusing on the needs of large enterprises, where streamlining, control and scalability are…

read more

Fitness / Technology / Wellness

 
 

Again Faster

ABOUT Again Faster is a Brisbane based, Australian owned supplier of strength and conditioning and functional fitness equipment. With nearly 10 years experience in the Australian market, we are…

read more

Fitness / Recreation

 
 

Polin Waterparks

Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976, and has since grown into a leading company in the waterparks industry. Today Polin is one of the world leaders in the design, production, and installation of…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Waterparks

 
 

iDwala Pty Ltd

iDwala is the Community Sports Facility Specialist offering the highest quality designs and technical expertise to Councils, Schools and Sporting Clubs looking to create sporting…

read more

Consultants / Design / Recreation / Sport / Surfaces

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business