Indigenous youngsters break through to Kickstart championships

By Tony Salerno

Indigenous students Josh Jones and Ethan Slater have been chosen to play for NSW in the Under-15s Kickstart championships in Queensland.

The AFL competition is central to addressing the health, education and health opportunities amongst the Aboriginal community.

To be eligible for the program, students must demonstrate good attendance, leadership qualities and community contributions.

The Indigenous pair shares the dream of playing AFL football and experiencing the perks of many of their idols.

“Just the game that you love, getting paid to play. You’ve got to push yourself to strive and achieve,” Slater said.

Slater and Jones say their biggest inspiration is local hero, Taylor Walker.

The Adelaide Crows forward grew up in country NSW, playing his junior footy for North Broken Hill.

“I always watch his games and he shows that you can live in a pretty rural area like Broken Hill and you can make it if you try hard enough.”

It is the first time both players have been to Queensland.