Footy Means Business

In front of a lively crowd, local politicians, AFL talent scouts and the Campbelltown faithful, a second half goal blitz was the catalyst to getting the Northern team over the line and rounding out a very enjoyable week.

The Northern team trailed by six points at the main break but a 12 goal second-half, orchestrated by five goal hauls from C. Papertalk and W. Farrer was enough to get the Northern team over the line to claim the Rio Tinto Footy Means Business Cup.

For the 50 Indigenous men chosen from all areas around Australia, it was a memorable end to their week-long camp and an insightful experience discovering the career opportunities available in the AFL and at Rio Tinto.

The camp formed part of a year-long leadership development program that linked young Indigenous men with mainstream employment and education opportunities.

Footy Means Business provided 18 to 24-year-old Indigenous men with exposure to elite AFL programs and training, along with networking opportunities in corporate environments to strengthen leadership and teamwork skills.

AFL Indigenous and Talent Coordinator Michael O’Loughlin said the camps participants took a lot out of the week.

“It was a pretty full-on week, they were taught a lot in terms of what is required to play at the elite level and the career opportunities available for them out there but they’ve got to have the want and dedication to go out and actually do it,” O’Loughlin said.

“A lot of questions were asked by the players. That’s exactly what we wanted.

The reality is not all of these players will play professionally, but what they can all do is be involved in the game at some level which is fantastic.”

O’Loughlin said the vocal Campbelltown crowd was instrumental to the Northern team’s success.

“The Campbelltown faithful showed up – there was a great crowd out there today. The locals certainly love their footy out here and it’s great to see the community get behind the boys and to watch this great game of ours.”