Clontarf Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Clontarf Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that exists to improve the education, discipline, self esteem, life skills and employment prospects of young Aboriginal men and by doing so, equip them to participate more meaningfully in society. Participants are offered an opportunity to succeed and hence to raise their self-esteem through participation in the popular sport of Australian rules football
or Rugby League
.
Using the passion that Aboriginal boys have for football allows Clontarf to attract the boys to school. But it is not a sporting program.
Each Clontarf Academy, formed in partnership with the local school, is focussed on encouraging behavioural change, developing positive attitudes, assisting students to complete school and secure employment. Fundamental to this, is the development of values, skills and abilities that will assist the boys to achieve better life outcomes.
Through a diverse mix of activities, the full-time, local Clontarf staff mentor and counsel students while the school caters for the educational needs of each student.
In order to remain in the Academy, members must consistently endeavour to:
Clontarf combines mentoring with a broad range of extra-curricular activities to expose participants to a wide range of life experiences which challenge and develop them. Participants are involved in leadership camps and personal development activities throughout the year. Highlight activities include interstate and regional tours, school camps, inter-Academy events and excursions. All activities are structured to ensure the development and enhancement of life skills.
Upon completing the programme graduates are helped to find employment. A specialist employment officer is employed to do this as well as to provide support until the graduate becomes comfortable with his new job and surroundings.
With support from the private sector, state/territory governments and the federal government, Academies now operate in 45 schools in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Victoria.
, former coach of Fremantle Football Club
, and foundation chairman is Ross Kelly, a chairman, director or board member of many prominent West Australian companies and the former chairman of the Fremantle Football Club. Staff include former teachers, youth workers and professional football players.
The original Clontarf Football Academy was established in 2000 at the Clontarf Aboriginal College
site in Waterford, Western Australia
. Since then Clontarf Football Academies have expanded to include the Northern Territory, Victoria and Western Australia.
Western Australia -
Northern Territory -
Victoria -
, Dion Woods
, Andrew Krakouer, Michael Johnson
, Chris Yarran
and Patrick Ryder
.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
or Rugby League
Australian Rugby League
The Australian Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in Australia. It is made up of state bodies, including the New South Wales Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League...
.
Using the passion that Aboriginal boys have for football allows Clontarf to attract the boys to school. But it is not a sporting program.
Each Clontarf Academy, formed in partnership with the local school, is focussed on encouraging behavioural change, developing positive attitudes, assisting students to complete school and secure employment. Fundamental to this, is the development of values, skills and abilities that will assist the boys to achieve better life outcomes.
Through a diverse mix of activities, the full-time, local Clontarf staff mentor and counsel students while the school caters for the educational needs of each student.
In order to remain in the Academy, members must consistently endeavour to:
- Attend school regularly
- Apply themselves to the study of appropriate courses
- Embrace the Academy's requirements for behaviour and self discipline
Clontarf combines mentoring with a broad range of extra-curricular activities to expose participants to a wide range of life experiences which challenge and develop them. Participants are involved in leadership camps and personal development activities throughout the year. Highlight activities include interstate and regional tours, school camps, inter-Academy events and excursions. All activities are structured to ensure the development and enhancement of life skills.
Upon completing the programme graduates are helped to find employment. A specialist employment officer is employed to do this as well as to provide support until the graduate becomes comfortable with his new job and surroundings.
With support from the private sector, state/territory governments and the federal government, Academies now operate in 45 schools in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Victoria.
How it started
The founder and Chief Executive Officer is Gerard NeeshamGerard Neesham
Gerard Neesham is a former Australian rules footballer in the WAFL and VFL as well as coach in the WAFL and AFL. Today he is chief executive of the Clontarf Foundation.-Playing career:...
, former coach of Fremantle Football Club
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
, and foundation chairman is Ross Kelly, a chairman, director or board member of many prominent West Australian companies and the former chairman of the Fremantle Football Club. Staff include former teachers, youth workers and professional football players.
The original Clontarf Football Academy was established in 2000 at the Clontarf Aboriginal College
Clontarf Aboriginal College
Clontarf Aboriginal College is the current name of a former orphanage for boys operated by the Christian Brothers organisation in the Perth suburb of Waterford in Western Australia. Opening in 1901, the facility has been used for a number of purposes since, most notably as an orphanage but also as...
site in Waterford, Western Australia
Waterford, Western Australia
Waterford is a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of South Perth.Waterford is situated on the Canning River.-History:...
. Since then Clontarf Football Academies have expanded to include the Northern Territory, Victoria and Western Australia.
Locations
Academies now operate in the following locations:Western Australia -
- Clontarf (Perth)
- Gilmore, Kwinana
- Seven Oaks (Perth)
- Yule Brook (Perth)
- Northam
- Great Southern, Albany
- South West, Bunbury
- Goldfields, Kalgoorlie
- Midwest, Geraldton
- Carnarvon
- West Kimberley, Broome
- East Kimberley, Kununurra
- Karratha
- Roebourne
- Derby
- South East, Esperance
- Halls Creek
- Katanning
Northern Territory -
- Alice Springs - Centralian
- Alice Springs - Mparntwe
- Alice Springs – Yirara
- Darwin – Dripstone
- Darwin - Nightcliff
- Darwin - Rosebery
- Darwin – Palmerston
- Darwin – Casuarina
- Darwin - Sanderson
- Tiwi Islands
- Katherine
- Yirrkala
- Tennant Creek
- Gunbalanya
- Jabiru
Victoria -
Sporting stars
Some of the Clontarf students who have gone on to play football at a professional level include Mark WilliamsMark L. Williams
Mark Williams is a former indigenous Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn and Essendon in the Australian Football League...
, Dion Woods
Dion Woods
Dion Woods is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Fremantle in the Australian Football League between 2001 and 2005....
, Andrew Krakouer, Michael Johnson
Michael Johnson (Australian rules footballer)
Michael Johnson is an Australian rules footballer for the Fremantle Dockers. Recruited from Perth Football Club in the WAFL with selection 8 in the 2004 Preseason Draft, he is a graduate of the Clontarf Football Academy...
, Chris Yarran
Chris Yarran
Christopher "Chris" Yarran is an Australian rules footballer with the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
and Patrick Ryder
Patrick Ryder
Patrick "Paddy" Ryder is an Australian rules footballer who plays for Essendon in the Australian Football League .-Early career:...
.