Ranging in age from 12 to 14 years-old, the young athletes come from all over Victoria, with three joining the Academy all the way from New South Wales.
The Academy program is designed around not only football, but a number of off-field subjects including Cultural Identity and Positive Education, fitness, health, and nutrition.
The main training session was hosted by Kangaroo superstar and Academy Ambassador Daniel Wells. Daniel led the boys through some exciting and innovative drills and gave tips to assist them improve their football skills and also provide them with confidence.
Prior to training with Daniel, the boys were taken into the inner sanctum of the North Melbourne Football Club where they experienced first-hand what it takes to be an AFL player. One of the highlights of the day was the Cultural Identity and Positive Education session where the boys were able to reflect on their own culture and discuss common strengths.
However the boys were not the only ones having fun at Arden street with around 15 parents participating in a Level 0 Coaching Course. The NMFC is intent on providing community capacity building opportunities for parents as well as children. In their next session, parents may opt to complete an Umpiring Course.
The NMFC Indigenous Academy is conducted in partnership with the Melbourne Aboriginal Youth Sport and Recreation (MAYSAR) and AFL Victoria. It is one of three academies launched by North Melbourne this year, together with the Female and Multicultural Academies.
The next day session is scheduled for Saturday, 8th May, when North Melbourne will host the boys and their families at our Round 7 match versus Collingwood at the MCG.
