Venndale is about 40 kilometres south of Katherine and provides relapse prevention, medical care and case management for indigenous clients undergoing rehabilitation for alcohol and other drug use. 

The newest Magpies recruits are attending team training at RAAF Base Tindal twice a week and Venndale program manager Casey Bishop said the partnership had provided a fantastic experience for the clients.

“We all know sport brings people together and creates camaraderie in a group,” he explained.

“To our clients, footy is like a religion - they live and breathe it, and train every night out here at Venndale.”

TMFNC president Luke Horrell said that the partnership had been an “undoubted success” as members went out of their way to make their new Venndale teammates feel at home. 

“We wanted to make them feel a part of the team, even when we’re just kicking a footy around at training,” he explained.

TMFNC members were invited by their new teammates to an informal dinner at Venndale on July 1, where they were able to sit down and talk about culture, who they were and where they came from.

Mr Bishop said the partnership was about much more than just football for the clients.

“Please accept my thanks, Tindal Magpies Football and Netball Club, and the community that is Tindal,” he said.

“You really have, in some cases, given these men one more reason to live.”