OLYMPIC champion Cathy Freeman joined St Kilda coach Ross Lyon and AFL player Xavier Clarke to welcome the 2009 Qantas KickStart intake at their Moorabbin training session on Wednesday.

Fifty indigenous boys aged 14 and 15 years from around Australia – some from regions north of Arnhem Land – have gathered in Melbourne for an elite training camp. The week-long camp focuses on developing personal and leadership skills and will culminate in a curtain-raiser match under lights at the MCG this Saturday.

Freeman said being a Qantas KickStart ambassador was an exciting role that enabled her to see players develop into role models for their communities.

“It’s been fun working alongside Xavier. We’re here in our capacity as role models for some of those kids with potential as future leaders and champions in the game of AFL,” Freeman said.

“It’s thrilling to see them not only develop into champions, but also develop into fine young men and into leaders with inspiring qualities.”

Clarke said being a mentor the Qantas KickStart players has provided a welcome focus for his energies while undertaking rehabilitation for an anterior cruciate ligament injury. He said the program empowered young Indigenous people in a way they would learn to appreciate with the passage of time.

“They’ve got a great opportunity to develop great leadership skills,” Clarke said.

“Unfortunately people perceive young Aboriginal kids in a different way I think, down south, and I think they’ve got a great opportunity to change that perception.

“They probably don’t know that but the more they do and the more leadership qualities they have, they’ll be great young kids coming through – not just footballers but great role models for their communities.”

The squad’s week in Melbourne will see them undertake AIS-AFL high performance testing and sessions incorporating leadership, cultural awareness and football development with figures including AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan.