Day #4 - Wednesday 4th February 2009

Day four of the camp moved into more specific education from the AFL Players’ Association.

The first couple of workshops today had the whole group engaged.

In the first workshop, Sean Gorman a researcher from Melbourne University, gave a very informative account of Indigenous Players that have played AFL since its beginning. The feedback from all the guys in this session was fantastic. It really gave us a good understanding of what our ancestors went through to play this great game.

In the next couple of workshops we discussed in depth the positives of having a structured financial plan and the importance of this not only in our own lives, but also the lives of our families and broader communities.

Ex-players Brad Wira and Matthew Burton who are the AFLPA Financial Educators delivered this education through workshop and panel discussion.

The final session of our AFLPA Indigenous Camp allowed many of the players to share stories about their journey growing up and how they eventually made the grade in the AFL.

Gotta go now as the bus is ready to take us to our main training session for the week at Marrara Oval. It's been great to see Captain Andrew McLeod and Vice Captain Shaun Burgoyne enjoying the leadership role they've been given.

See you tomorrow after we all get back from our community visits.

Adam Goodes
AFLPA Executive Committee Member

Adam Goodes
AFLPA Executive Committee Member

Day #3 - Tuesday 3rd February 2009

Today started off with a Guest Speaker, John Morgan who had previously completed the Indigenous Leadership Program. He spoke to us about his experiences, what he had learnt and how he had grown from participating in the course.

The second day of the leadership program was intense and interactive.

The main topics for the day included values and visions.

Within the values sessions of today it was interesting to see how family values seemed to be a common link among all 60 players.

During the visions sessions we looked into developing a community and the understanding of what it takes to create a community from scratch and the leadership involved. In our groups we were given criteria and all had a go at establishing our own communities and added what we felt would be necessary for its residents. This session also included groups presenting their ideas, it was interesting to see and hear what everyone had come up.

In the afternoon session as a wrap up of the course a few of us spoke to give our take on the Program. I mentioned my thoughts on values and what I felt I got out of the program. But what I’ve enjoyed most about doing the course is I am really looking forward to all these guys becoming leaders in their footy clubs.

As a token of our appreciation to the Geoff, Jim, Michael, Adrian and Jermaine from FaCHSIA, an AFL Indigenous Map was presented to the guys. This outlines where all the players come from around Australia, and was of great interest to all. This map will be officially presented to the players tomorrow.

Late afternoon included a light training session in the pool for all, with some boys off to the gym for some extra weights training.

It was also a big day for media with some articles in the local paper (NT News) and a few radio interviews.

Tomorrow will be an interesting day, including some sessions on the history of Indigenous Players in the AFL, by presenter Sean Gorman and a Financial Planning and Investments session, taken by Brad Wira and Matthew Burton.

Adam Goodes
AFLPA Executive Committee Member

Day #2 - Monday 2nd February 2009

Today was the first day of the Indigenous Leadership Program.

The Indigenous Leadership Program is an important part of the Indigenous Camp.
We covered a lot of information about leadership, including understanding culture, what it involves and what it means to different people.

I really enjoyed the interactive components of the sessions and it was really good to see the young fellows participating and putting their hands up – asking questions and making great contributions.

One of the sessions we covered was on leaders and who we see as leaders and what characteristics make a good leader. We all obviously know what leadership characteristics are in a footy setting but it was interesting to see how these are similar in the general community.

After our long day in doors, it was great to finally get out there and do something that we all do well, get out and kick the footy, train with all the boys, make a bit of noise and for me personally enjoying a coaching component. It was also great to rub shoulders with champions of the game, Michael Long and Michael 'Magic' McLean.

Our first training session brought out a small crowd of locals which was great to see, including interest from many children and their families.

It was good to see some of the coaching and training staff out running the track with all the guys, Chris Johnson, Daryl White, John Quinn, Cory McGrath, Steve Alessio and Jason Mifsud.

It was a big first day of the Indigenous Leadership Program and the boys will definitely be sleeping well tonight getting ready for another big day tomorrow.

Adam Goodes
AFLPA Executive Committee Member

Day #1 - Sunday 1st February 2009

It was great to see the majority of the Indigenous Players from all of the AFL Clubs, arrive for the AFL Players’ Association Indigenous Camp in Darwin today.

The best things about attending this Camp is renewing old friendships and the feeling of amazement I get from seeing all the fresh young Indigenous Players coming through the ranks.

This season, a record 82 players will on the senior or rookie lists of AFL clubs – a great achievement when you think that Indigenous people make up about 2% of Australia’s total population.

The Camp kicked off with a short discussion about the expectations of the 60 AFL players in attendance.

It is great to see how this camp has grown from its humble beginnings, to its current format of Indigenous Camp and All-Stars Week.

I remember when I first attended this camp, and how important it was to meet all the older players and my idols. It was important for me to introduce myself and as the camp goes on, I feel it is important for me to introduce myself to the younger generations coming through, because I know how they feel and it is great to catch up and have a chat.

I am really keen to meet this next generation of players, as we both have a lot to learn of each other, it doesn't matter how old you get, everyone can take something away with them.

Our after dinner session included a group shot of all the boys and a Welcome to Country from a Larrakia Elder, which led to every player introducing themselves, their family / cultural background and positive aspects about being an Aboriginal.

This was a great ice breaker for what promises to be an inspiring week for all our Indigenous Champions.

I look forward to updating you tomorrow on the Indigenous Leadership Program delivered by Geoff, Jim and the boys from the Federal Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services, and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).

Adam Goodes
AFLPA Executive Committee Member