Footy Means Business

Over the next four years, 200 indigenous men aged between 18 and 24 will be selected by the League’s development officers to benefit from the new initiative, called ‘Footy Means Business’.

The partnership between the AFL and Rio Tinto will see 50 participants each year exposed to elite AFL programs and training, as well as networking opportunities in corporate environments.

The objective of the program is to strengthen individual leadership and teamwork skills.

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said the program is designed to increase opportunities for indigenous people and to enable improved sporting, leadership, education and employment outcomes.

“The Footy Means Business initiative complements our existing Qantas AFL indigenous programs, from the junior level with Qantas AFL Kickstart, to the Flying Boomerangs and events such as Dreamtime at the ‘G,” Demetriou said.

“By partnering with Rio Tinto we can further develop the talents of young indigenous men by providing high performance training in both football and employment skills.

“Like the AFL, Rio Tinto recognises the importance of indigenous contribution to their business and we’re pleased to be partnering with an organisation which has demonstrated leadership with indigenous affairs, particularly employment.”

To be selected for the program, candidates must be an aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, not engaged in the AFL or a second tier competition, and employed (part time or apprenticeships accepted) or undertaking training or otherwise involved in community programs.

All participants will be selected on their football ability, their leadership qualities, engagement with their communities and their potential to serve as a role model, with about half to come from areas near Rio Tinto sites and AFL partnership communities.

They will then be matched with a mentor drawn from Rio Tinto and AFL employees, with former players Jason Mifsud, Michael O’Loughlin, Chris Johnson and Malcolm Lynch to take on key roles.

The mentors will develop their own management skills through training run by the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre.

Rio Tinto managing director Australia David Peever said the program helped build on the group’s long-term emphasis on social investment programs across Australia.

“The Footy Means Business partnership with the AFL is a perfect fit with our commitment to indigenous employment and complements our established record on social and community investment,” Peever said.

“This program is exceptional because it is grounded in clear business outcomes, as well as generating real dividends results for communities.

“The AFL shares our commitment to promoting opportunities for indigenous Australians. We are excited about the huge potential our engagement with the AFL has in building new careers and encouraging high performance now and into the future.”

All stakeholders involved in the Footy Means Business program are committed to a 100 per cent success rate for participants to enter into one or more of the NAB AFL Draft, full-time employment or accredited training or education.