Kicking goals with the Tigers in Community program
2:40:54 PM Thu 18 August, 2005
Richmond deputy vice-captain Joel Bowden
richmondfc.com.au
At the start of the year, I spoke to a few people around the Club and we decided that we needed to do more in the local Richmond area. For many years, we had travelled far and wide to promote the game, yet missed the opportunities on our own door-step. One such opportunity was the Richmond Housing Estate.
Gerry Hand, the former Federal Minister for Immigration and Aboriginal Affairs, was a key factor behind the idea for us to promote locally, and to have a positive influence on the young kids at the Richmond Estate, who may not otherwise get the chance to go to a game, or have a footy clinic experience. Gerry is now heading the Tigers’ In Community Foundation committee that I also sit on, along with my teammates Tom Roach and Chris Newman.
The Richmond estate has about 5000 residents, including 1500 children living there, so it’s a lot of people in one block in the heart of Richmond. Coupled with this is the minimal funding available for the estate’s after-school and recreational programs. Drugs and crime, therefore, are a factor.
Now I’m not saying that we are going to solve these problems, but what we can do is try to give the kids another perspective and be a positive influence. A waterfall starts with one drop of water and small victories are the essence behind winning the war. In my view, the easiest thing we, as players, can do is make someone’s day – and that can be done without even knowing it . . .
Initially, we met with the co-ordinator of the estate’s after-school programs, Lyn, and she was very receptive to us coming along on an afternoon to help with the after-school care activities. There also were suggestions of involvement with the Lantern Festival and other activities, but that will all come with time.
Our main priority, first-up, was to make a connection and prove ourselves. It’s a little like when you just get drafted to a league club. Instead of saying straight away you want to be a 100-game player, just concentrate on training hard and getting that first game. I’m pleased to say that we have made a real connection down at the estate . . .
Each Tuesday several Richmond players and staff join the regular organisers to help with the after-school care program. Players regularly involved include Shane Morrison, Dean Limbach, Tom Roach, Brett Deledio, Ray Hall, Adam Pattison, Danny Meyer, Andrew Raines, Chris Hyde, Brent Hartigan, Daniel Jackson and Michael Rix (Coburg).
Throughout this year, I have seen a real change in the approach to community and volunteer work from the Club’s playing group. Over the past 10 years, I have done many footy clinics and handball comps around Melbourne, but I rarely visit the same area twice. To me, this seems a little silly. I know we are trying to grow the game and get to as many kids as possible, but it’s more than that for me. What we, as AFL players really can do, is build relationships of meaning from the very start. However, it is these relationships that need to be continued and fostered in order for them to grow and develop.
What we are endeavoring to do at Richmond Estate is create an on-going relationship that will not only help the kids, but also develop the players who go there, as people. Life skills are crucial, and sometimes it’s worth stepping outside your comfort zone for a sense of reality and some introspection. A few of the kids that we have met have never even been to the MCG, even though it’s right on their door-step . . .
From a personal viewpoint, my involvement at the Richmond Estate has been a great experience. In just five short months, I have had a chance to see young kids develop and come out of themselves. The kids’ ages range from 4-15 and the activities are by no means strictly enforced. When you’ve got a group of 10 or so kids ranging from 5-15 playing kick-to-kick, it can be potentially dangerous. But there haven’t been any injuries of note yet, and all the kids love it.
I have had a close involvement with the housing estate’s after-school care, and feel that I have gained as much, if not more out of the experience, than most of the kids. Hopefully, this can be an on-going relationship that continues indefinitely, because I know that the benefits are there for both parties – particularly the players.
http://richmondfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=223281
