The AFL in partnership with the Australian Government today launched a new Learn. Earn. Legend! initiative aimed at encouraging young Indigenous Australians in NSW and western Sydney to stay at school and to strive for a bright future.


The new program was launched at Blacktown Olympic Park, the training ground for Team GWS, in the presence of the Hon Jenny Macklin MP, Michelle Rowland, Labor candidate for Greenway, Ed Husic, Labor candidate for Chifley, Kevin Sheedy, Dale Holmes and Tony Shepherd of Team GWS and Jason Mifsud, the AFL's Community Engagement Manager. Under the Learn. Earn. Legend! banner, the AFL will initiate a Parents and Community Engagement (PaCE) project as its first priority. The PaCE project has been developed to ensure children are engaged in and benefiting from schooling as a pathway to employment.


The project will engage parents and the communities of Indigenous students in western Sydney and regional NSW, using the Sydney Swans and Team GWS players as mentors, to provide educational and lifestyle support to maximise learning.

The AFL has been working with Indigenous communities for a number of years in an endeavour to improve employment, education, health and participation outcomes.

The launch also recognised AFL SportsReady's involvement in the partnership by announcing their 1000^th Indigenous Trainee, Owen Love. AFL SportsReady has played a major role in Indigenous Education and Training in partnership with the Federal Government since the inception of their Indigenous Education Program back in 2000.

For more information on Learn. Earn. Legend! visit www.deewr.gov.au/indigenous.

Media Enquiries
Jordan Laing, AFL Communications Coordinator
jordan.laing@aflnswact.com.au

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Media Contact :
Ros Pullen - Media & Marketing Officer - Blacktown Olympic Park - 9839 6595
Karla Wyatt - Promotions Assistant - Blacktown Olympic Park - 9839 6593