In Tennant Creek where football is more religion than sport, a new program is unlocking potential.
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The first Indigenous footy player to be selected for an Australian team John Kundereri Moriarty has swooped in to kick goals on and off the field.
His program for youth is renowned as one of the best in remote Australia, propelling hundreds of aspiring athletes into representative and even international teams.
"An important part of our mission is allowing these children to become an individuals with a clear vision and aspiration so they can see the future themselves," Mr Moriarty says.
More than 100 young footy players from the community attended the first skills clinic yesterday.
It is just the first step in developing talent and positive change, improving school attendance and achieving resilient, healthier outcomes.
"We are very excited to establish the latest John Moriarty Football hub in Tennant Creek," Mr Moriarty said.
"Now in our seventh year, we have an established model of football that we deliver as a powerful tool for wellbeing to support resilient, healthier outcomes for young players, their families and communities."
The hope is that all of the kids in Tennant Creek jump in and join the 1,000 children who participate in the footy program every week.
In March 2019, the Moriarty Foundation was recognised for its best practice approach in youth football and received funding from the Morrison Government, in partnership with the HealthLAB program from Menzies School of Health Research Darwin, to expand to four new communities in the Northern Territory over the next three years.
"[This] program has a strong track record, encouraging regular school attendance, healthier lifestyles through better nutrition and more physical activity," Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt said.
"It builds self-respect, resilience and strong connections between families and communities."
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