Richmond players Matthew Arnot, Reece Conca and Dylan Grimes travelled to Alice Springs on Monday, August 27, for a three-day trip, visiting Indigenous schools and communities.
The visit was part of the Club’s Outback Tigers program, which, in conjunction with Dick Smith, AFL NT and Northern Territory Government, encourages school attendance and emphasises the importance of education.
The players went to several schools, including Centralian Middle School, Centralian Senior College, Gillen Primary School, Bradshaw Primary School and others in the remote communities of Hermannsburg and Areyonga.
Students, excited by the players’ visit, displayed great enthusiasm and skill, both inside and outside the classroom.
Football was the recurring link throughout the visit, with plenty of kick-to-kick with the players during recess and lunchtimes. The players were impressed with the skills and talent of the youngsters, who were ready to play footy on any surface, be it grass or red dirt.
The Tiger trio had great experiences in Central Australia and wrote about their trip. Read about the players’ adventures in Alice Springs:
The Outback Tigers program also rewarded four students from Alcoota School in Alice Springs for their excellent school attendance.
Dick Smith, in collaboration with Richmond Football Club, rewarded the students with a weekend trip to Melbourne.
The students received tickets to Richmond’s Round 22 match clash with Essendon, participated in a football clinic on the MCG before the game, were taken on a tour of the ME Bank Centre at Punt Road Oval, visited Eureka Tower and the Melbourne Aquarium.
Richmond player, Gibson Turner went to all of the Melbourne sights with the students and commented that he hadn't laughed so much in a long time.
Students on their reward trip with Richmond
mascot, Tigerstripes on the MCG.
