The Laguntas will play their first game tomorrow (Monday, June 10) at Richmond’s ME Bank Centre, Punt Road Oval.
The Laguntas program is a new initiative of Richmond’s Korin Gamadji Institute, AFL Victoria and AFL SportsReady, to provide young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men with genuine access to TAC, VFL and AFL pathways, personal and professional pathways and cultural connection.
The Indigenous team will have their first hit-out against the Victorian Country U/16 team on the Queen’s Birthday holiday, on the Tigers' training ground, Punt Road Oval.
Richmond’s Hall of Fame Dinner is this Saturday night at Crown’s Palladium. Don’t miss this great night out with past and present Tiger players in attendance.
The players have been at the KGI since Thursday, engaging in a variety of activities including inductions, development sessions, cultural strengthening, weights sessions, and football training.
The program is supported by a number of experienced football personnel, including ex-Brisbane premiership player, Chris Johnson as their coach, and former AFL player and coach, Terry Wallace as assistant coach.
Belinda Duarte, Director of the KGI is proud to be part of this unique program that provides the opportunity for young Indigenous men across the state to develop both their football and career pathways.
“This is an innovative program, that nurtures high performance both on and off the field, that includes the squad of around 40 young men and 15 support staff, which builds capacity for AFL industry in the Indigenous space,” said Duarte.
“Our state of the art facility provides experiential learning around the expectations for requirements of AFL players, together with an education and training facility that affirms culture and increases access to personal and career pathway opportunities.”
The Laguntas will play in Richmond’s 2013 Dreamtime guernsey on Monday, and will play two more exhibition games later this year in preparation to commence their season in 2014.
For more information about the Laguntas program, visit the Korin Gamadji Institute’s website.
