AFL Toyota Premiership 2011

Youth Mentoring Program

Realising the resources resident in the AFL Umpires group, the AFL Foundation initiated a mentoring program for disadvantaged youth in partnership with Wesley Mission Melbourne. The Foundation approached Wesley Mission with a creative proposal to offer mentoring by AFL umpires to youth who do not have adequate family or social support.

The program offers young people the chance to meet regularly with a team of AFL umpires and learn from their experience of life and sport. The program was designed to provide opportunities for the umpires and the boys, aged 11 to 17, to get to know each other and begin to build mutual trust and respect.

The response from the boys has been both positive and appreciative, as has the feedback from those who work with them in other areas of their lives.

The Youth Mentoring Program has grown during 2007 so that now seven umpires are involved with 12 young people. The program has also been expanded so that a broader range of activities are now offered, including a camp.

Achievements

The response from the boys was both extremely positive and appreciative, as has the feedback from those who work with them in other areas of their lives.

This program has since grown so that now seven umpires are now involved with 12 young people. The program has also been expanded so that a broader range of activities are now programmed including a camp.

Achieving Goals Actively Program

In 2007 the AFL Achieving Goals Actively Program was launched by in partnership with the AFL Umpire Roadshows – an initiative of the Foundation to conduct a number of activity sessions for children with Down syndrome across Australia. Over 100 young people and their families across 10 locations participated in sessions that emphasized the benefits of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle for people with Down syndrome. Activities were facilitated by AFL Umpires including various warm up exercises, drills, and games that were fun for the children as well as suggestive of things that could be repeated at home. The target group was children with Down syndrome aged between 5 and 13 with some states allowing participation of young adults.  Siblings and parents of children with Down syndrome were also encouraged to attend and participate.

Feedback from the participants and their families highlights the impact that the program has on enriching the lives of those involved:

“To let you know we had a great hour with Gordie, Brett and Josh. The young folk loved it – the venue was prestigious and added to the experience. The sunny afternoon made for great photography. An article with photos for our newsletter is the next job. Many thank to you and the TFL team.”

Richard and Elise, Tasmania

“Thank you again to you and the AFL for organising and putting on the “Achieving Goals Actively” session in Canberra last Friday.My son Matthew and his two sisters all greatly enjoyed the session.”

Paul on behalf of Matthew 5 yrs old, Canberra

“Thanks for organising today. Neave had a wonderful time, She whistled all the way home with a few statements about the game. We will make the pyramid and take it to school on Monday! Many thanks!”

Marian on behalf of Neave 3 yrs old, Canberra

Down Syndrome Program

This was the second year of the Foundation’s program of involving young people with Down syndrome in Friday night AFL matches. Working in conjunction with the AFL Umpires’ Department, the AFL Umpires’ Association and the Down Syndrome Association of Victoria, the Foundation sought to make a positive contribution to the lives of disabled people and to improve community understandings of and attitudes towards people with disabilities.

The program involves young people with Down syndrome working with the umpires’ trainers on match day. They are provided with official AFL umpires’ tracksuits, which they wear proudly, and meet the umpires in the rooms before the game. They enter the ground with the umpires and join the umpires during the breaks and after the game.

It is hoped that programs such as this will contribute to the broadening of acceptance of people with a disability in the community. Countless letters of thanks and appreciation from parents and friends indicating the life-transforming impact this program is having on the young people who participate.

The program has grown significantly in this its second year, involving young people with Down syndrome in all Friday night Games at both the MCG and Telstra Dome. 23 young people with Down syndrome, and 25 umpires participated in the program this year. The positive impact of this program was highlighted in a special feature on Channel 7 News. Plans are in place to expand this program nationally so that it becomes an integral part of all Friday night matches.

The Foundation has worked closely with the Down Syndrome Association of Victoria and as a result a mentoring program called “Mentoring Connections” has been developed. The aim of this program is to provide young people with Down syndrome with mentors who will help them explore appropriate employment opportunities.

Young people with Down syndrome were also given the opportunity to attend this year’s annual Umpires’ Community Camp.