The Tjindu Foundation congratulates Aboriginal AFL Academy graduates Brandan Parfitt and Tyson Stengle on winning their first AFL premiership medals with Geelong on the weekend.
Parfitt, a Larrakia and Warumungu man, and Stengle, a Wirangu man, were members of the Academy’s 2015 and 2016 programs.
Stengle was also named in this year’s All-Australian team.
Tjindu Foundation co-founder and director Paul Vandenbergh extended congratulations to the pair.
“When they were in the Academy, Brandan and Tyson were exciting and dedicated participants, who have now achieved one of the top accolades in professional sport with Geelong,” Vandenbergh says.
“They’ve represented themselves, families and communities in this success. We congratulate them on their achievement and can’t wait to see what they will do in the years to come.”
They join 2019 program participant Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne) as Academy graduates who have won AFL Premierships. Pickett played in Melbourne’s 2021 premiership win over the Western Bulldogs.
The Tjindu Foundation Aboriginal AFL Academy leverages the appeal of sport, specifically Australian Football, to provide talented, emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes in South Australia specialised cultural and curriculum-based programs to complement their senior school education. Registrations are currently open for the 2023 intake.
