Kimberley Spirit creating future pathways
KS Future Pathways participants at Fremantle Dockers HQ.
Garnduwa’s Kimberley Spirit Football Program has a long history of combining athletic and personal development to provide talented Kimberley footballers with the best foundation possible for on and off-field success.
This year the program, which is the Kimberley region’s recognised talent development pathway has supported multiple teams ranging from under 15s to under 19s to travel to Perth to compete at the highest level.
Following the success of these teams, numerous players have been identified for further opportunities with Claremont Football Club.
To support these players and to prepare them for their transition to trialling with Claremont Football Club throughout the pre-season, they have participated in the newly created Future Pathways Project.
Exploring off-field elements
The Future Pathways project is designed to develop the athletes’ abilities to navigate life in the city and to build on skills that will promote their athletic performance and general well-being.
Kimberley Spirit players are often recruited and developed from townships like Halls Creek, and Kununurra, with populations of 1500 and 4000 respectively. Their off-season trial with Claremont Football Club will see them relocate to Perth, which has a population of over 2 million people.
This transition from remote townships to a major urban centre, while presenting an exciting opportunity, can also be practically and culturally challenging.
The Future Pathways project directly responds to this transition. During the school holidays in September, 11 players travelled to Perth to engage with services and participate in activities that educated and developed skills around the topics of;
Employment
Accommodation
Public Transport
Social and Emotional Well-Being
Strength & Conditioning
Nutrition
Food shopping and meal prepping
Kimberley Spirit Athletes at the West Australian Football Commission Head Office.
Education and Employment pathways as key project focus
During the trip to Perth, the project was supported by both the Fremantle Dockers and the West Australian Football Commission, two key supporters and partners of the Kimberley Spirit Football Program.
The group spent time with both organisations who presented education and employment options available to them. At Fremantle, they were introduced to the dual diploma of Sport, Business and Leadership, which is delivered by SEDA.
At the WAFC the group learnt about entry-level jobs including casual Game Development Officer positions.
Education and employment are continued priorities of the Kimberley Spirit Football Program, the engagement that took place in Perth served as an opportunity to present available and achievable options that would promote the group’s holistic development.
Acknowledging the Kimberley pathway
The Future Pathway’s Project is the product of a long and productive partnership between Garnduwa, Fremantle Football Club, Claremont Football Club and the West Australian Football Commission.
Combining resources, and support and creating integrated opportunities defines the Kimberley Pathway and ensures that talented athletes can realise aspirations to develop as sportsmen and women and as community leaders.
The Kimberley Spirit Program Manager Ben De Meo highlighted the importance of appreciating this pathway and recognising that it starts with regular and consistent engagements in the region.
“It is important to acknowledge the Pathway we have and support our participants along the WA Talent Pathway, which begins with us in the region”