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Chief Minister Paul Henderson has officially launched the Top End Football Academy at Sanderson Middle School, saying the program was already delivering results for students.

 

Mr Henderson said almost 230 teenage boys from Sanderson, Katherine High School and Palmerston High were enrolled in the Academy, which uses football as a means to improve school attendance and results.

 

“Boosting school attendance rates is vital for students to achieve better school results and access to job opportunities,” Mr Henderson said.

 

“The Top End Football Academy, delivered by the Clontarf Foundation, uses students’ passion for Aussie Rules to engage them in school and increase their self-esteem to make positive choices about their future.

 

“An important element of the program is the role of the students’ mentors - former footballers who work closely with the students during training and football games and throughout the school day as positive role models.

 

 “Students participating in the program must show real commitment towards their education, and must have good attendance – and it’s getting results.

 

“The roll out of the Top End Football Academy builds on the success of the program in Central Australia, where all of the Year 9 students enrolled in the program at Alice Springs High and Anzac Hill High have gone on to senior school this year.”

 

The NT Government has committed $1.6 million over three years to delivering the Clontarf program in the Top End, with further funding provided by the Australian Government and the private sector.

 

“My Government will continue to support programs like the Top End Football Academy to provide greater opportunities for Territory students.”

 

 

 

 

Contact: Rebecca Cass 0401 110 389

Related files:
henderson.2404.clontarf.pdf ( 72.48 kb )