Alliance big step in right direction

AFL Cairns has announced a formal partnership with AFL Cape York Foundation.

AFL Cape York House Foundation helps build positive futures for Indigenous young people from Queensland’s most remote communities by supporting education and wellbeing programs at AFL Cape York House.

AFL Cape York House has created a Model of Care that enables young people to complete their education in a safe, culturally appropriate, “home away from home” environment. “This partnership is a significant evolution to the longstanding relationship between our organisations and, like AFL Cairns, we are looking to provide opportunities for young people in our programs and look forward to further collaboration in delivering positive messages and outcomes for participants,” AFL Cape York House Foundation director Rick Hanlon said.

With a focus on individual, social and emotional wellbeing, children can go to school, be comfortable, interact with their peers and learn.

Last year, AFL Cape York House achieved a Year 12 graduate completion rate of 100 per cent (compared to the national completion rate for children from very remote communities of 38 per cent).

AFL Cairns general manager Craig Lees said it was an “exciting formalisation” of the collaborative working relationship the organisations have had over the years, and the groups would continue to work together for the betterment of community.

Indigenous Round is an important fixture on AFL Cairns’ calendar annually.

This year, there will be ceremonies across the venues celebrating Indigenous culture, highlighted by “Dreamtime By The Sea”, a special event of matches between Cairns City Lions and North Cairns Tigers that acknowledge the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players.