The Tjindu Aboriginal AFL Academy has concluded for 2022 with a series of events and a gala awards night at the Adelaide Convention Centre (Kaurna Country).
In closing the Academy for 2022, students finalised their submissions for the Stage 1 and 2 Aboriginal Studies units required for their South Australian Certificate of Education and participated in placement opportunities at the Adelaide offices of Foundation partner BHP.
The came on the back of several employment presentations from other foundation partners and local organisations.
These ‘Lunch and Learns’ exposed Academy students to potential career pathways they might consider after concluding their Year 12 studies.
A three-day camp at Victor Harbor (Ngarrindjeri Country) was also held at the end of November as a reward for the Academy cohort, including a Welcome to Country from Mark Koolmatrie, a charter boat around Granite Island, surfing at Middleton, Swimming at Horseshoe Bay and training at F45 Victor Harbor.
The Academy culminated with a sports carnival at Immanuel College supported by RAA ahead of the Academy graduation ceremony at the Convention Centre.
46 students graduated from the Academy program in 2022, of which a third were Year 12 graduates. 11 students have already begun to transition into employment opportunities.
“There were only four weeks in Term 4, so most of our time was spent working on education and assignments,” says Tjindu Foundation assistant project officer Tyran Hill.
“Graduation was a really great night for everyone to celebrate their achievements this year.
“Congratulations to all of our award winners and graduates as well – everyone should be really proud of themselves for the outstanding year they had.”
Academy trials were recently held at Thebarton Oval and 26 of this year’s cohort have been selected to continue again in next year’s program. The 2023 Aboriginal AFL Academy will commence at the beginning of Term 1 with a pre-season training camp.
The Tjindu Foundation has also appointed Uncle Joey Wyatt as a mentor to the 2023 cohort.
“We’re really looking forward to our pre-season training camp in January 2023, and also for having Uncle Joey Wyatt as a mentor to students. He’s a great mentor and role model for our Academy students and staff. We’re very excited to have him on board.”
The Tjindu Foundation thanks our 2022 Aboriginal AFL Academy partners RAA, BHP, the Australian Electoral Commission, National Indigenous Australians Agency, the South Australian Department for Education, Northpoint Toyota, Beyond Bank Australia, and ComwireIT.
Congratulations to all 2022 Tjindu Aboriginal AFL Academy graduates and award recipients.
2022 Tjindu Aboriginal AFL Academy award recipients
Tjindu Aboriginal AFL Academy Person of the Year Award (supported by RAA)
Kristeen Lynch-Starr and Joel Hill
Tjindu Aboriginal AFL Academy Student Encouragement Award (supported by Beyond Bank Australia)
Justice Conquest and Liam Coulthard
Tjindu Aboriginal AFL Academy Respect and Resilience Award (supported by BHP)
Zackiyah Mueller and Fabian Rigney
Tjindu Aboriginal AFL Academy Footballing Excellence Award (supported by Northpoint Toyota)
Sarcha Taylor and Roy Sinclair
Tjindu Aboriginal AFL Academy Year 12 Academic Achiever Award (supported by the South Australian Department for Education)
Moesha Wombat and Taylem Stubbs
Tjindu Aboriginal AFL Academy Year 11 Academic Achiever Award (supported by the South Australian Department for Education)
Mackayla Harrison and Raymond Sumner
Tjindu Aboriginal AFL Academy Year 10 Academic Achiever Award (supported by the South Australian Department for Education)
Kristeen Lynch-Starr and Braden Griffiths
