06 August 2010
Thunder gets cracking in Jabiru and Gunbalanya
Territory Thunder team players met their greatest fans this week when they visited local community schools in Jabiru and Gunbalanya for a series of school footy clinics.
Thunder players Shannon Rusca (vice captain), Cameron Roberts, Cameron Ilett, Shaun Wilson, Kenrick Tyrrell, Shaun Tapp were the star attractions at the West Arnhem College campuses of Jabiru and Gunbalanya.
Thunder team visits to remote communities are part of AFL NT's school footy clinic programme, supported by team principal partners Rio Tinto Alcan and Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (ERA).
ERA Chief Executive, Rob Atkinson said the Thunder visits to Jabiru and Gunbalanya help inspire young people to be involved in active, healthy lifestyles.
"Participation in sport contributes to improved education, employment, training, health, leadership and wellbeing in remote communities, and that's why we're big Thunder fans at ERA," Mr Atkinson said.
Jabiru and Gunabalanya students were thrilled to meet their footy heroes and take part in the footy clinics, which involved players organising skills development games for kicking, handballing and marking.
Thunder payers flew into Jabiru on Wednesday, 4 August and visited Gunbalanya on Thursday, 5 August, before heading back to Darwin.
Thunder player Cameron Ilett said this was the second year the team had been out to Jabiru and Gunbalanya. He said the students of all ages showed great talent and had a great time.
"They're so keen, and they've got loads of ability," Mr Ilett said.
"It's really good for the kids to get into footy - it's good for fitness, it's good for their concentration in school, and it's great for the Thunder because these kids are the next generation of champions."
ERA is one of the Territory Thunder principal partners. Under the Territory Teams partnership, ERA, and Rio Tinto Alcan contribute more than $1 million over three years to support the Territory Thunder and the new Territory Storm national netball team.
Territory Thunder Chief Executive Officer Stuart Totham said the clinics are a fantastic opportunity for the club to visit some of the Top End's remote communities.
"The clinics provide us with the opportunity to visit the schools kids and talk to them about staying at school, working hard, eating well and of course to talk to them about Thunder," Mr Totham said.
"The team would not be able to get these valuable messages across to these kids without the fantastic support of ERA."
Check out the Territory Thunder's progress on their website www.territoryfc.com.au
ENDS
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