Young Richmond trio Dylan Grimes, David Astbury and David Gourdis spent some of the Club’s bye week in Alice Springs, continuing the work the Tigers are undertaking in Central Australian schools.

The trio visited six primary and secondary schools over three days - Our Lady Sacred Heart (primary and secondary), Gillen Primary School, Amoonguna School, Ross Park Primary School and Sadadeen Primary School.

They also took part in training sessions for junior and senior football clubs in Alice Springs.

Richmond, in partnership with Dick Smith and the Australian Government, is working closely with schools and communities throughout Central Australia to help increase school attendance.

While a selection of Tiger players travels to the region at least twice a year, the Club is also able to maintain contact through a web-cam program, run at the ME Bank Centre.

More than 1000 students in 20 primary schools are involved in the program’s activities, which have been developed with the support of the Northern Territory Department of Education and Training.

“Our trips to Central Australia are an important part of our Indigenous community programs, which are run in partnership with Dick Smith. The major message the players deliver is around the importance of attending school, which we hope complements the wonderful work being done by teachers in these remote communities,” said Richmond’s CEO Brendon Gale.

“Beyond these face-to-face visits, our web-cam program takes our players into remote classrooms on a regular basis, as part of the Technology in the Territory program. It is important we engage with these kids as often as possible and technology now allows us to do that.
 
“This was a great opportunity for three of our younger players to be involved in the program.  The trip is as educational for them as it is for the kids they meet.”

Tigers’ defender Astbury, who is recovering from a dislocated kneecap, said the trip was an opportunity to put some smiles on the faces of primary school students.

 “It was really rewarding for us, as well as a real eye-opener.  It’s fantastic to know we can come up here and have an impact on the children’s lives,” he said.

“The highlight was when we went out to a small community school at Amoonguna.  There were only 10 or 12 kids there, but they were really interactive and we had a great time.”