Earlier this week, 25 primary-aged children from the Fitzroy housing estate completed a 10-week football program with Richmond.  

Tigers’ defender Piva Wright and international rookie, Gideon Simon, attended the final session to present football jumpers to the children who had completed the program. 

Wright, who is of Samoan descent, spent most of the session being chased by the kids.

“It was amazing to see how much energy the kids have after a day of school.  I wish I had some of that energy,” Wright said.

The program, which is run in partnership with the Victorian Police, provides children from disadvantaged backgrounds with a taste of Australian football.

Although the program focuses on developing football skills and knowledge, it engages children who are at high risk of becoming involved in criminal activities. 

“The housing estates’ backyard can be a dangerous and volatile place for young people.  Without these types of after-school programs, the likelihood of these kids getting themselves into trouble is very high,” said Chris McGeachan from Victoria Police, who works closely with the housing estate communities. 

As part of the program, participants had the opportunity to play in an AFL Auskick match on the MCG, during Richmond’s Round 7 match against the Sydney Swans.