23-year old Aboriginal student Kaila Riley will join the Minister for Training and Workforce Development, Hon Peter Collier MLC, Dave Burton West Perth District Football Development Council Chair and West Perth Football Club players to launch a new Academy dedicated to delivering customised training to the Aboriginal community.
The West Perth Football District has partnered with West Coast Institute of Training to develop components of the program and will offer all participants in the program the opportunity to complete a Level 1 AFL Football Coaching Accreditation.
A top five finalist vying for WA’s Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award, Kaila was one of the first students to train at the Aboriginal Academy of Sport, Health and Education which provides Aboriginal people with employment and life skills to help them enter the workforce.
“The Academy provided me with the opportunity to combine the two things that I was passionate about - sport and children - and this was the key to improving my health and achieving the success I have today,” said Kaila.
Kaila’s commitment to a Certificate II in Sports Coaching taught her skills in sports nutrition and first aid which improved her fitness and secured her employment as an Aboriginal Education Officer at Greenwood Primary School where she runs the Active After Schools program for the Australian Sports Commission.
Kaila was inspired by Aboriginal 2008 Olympic boxer Anthony Little and Adelaide 36es basketball player William Foster, lecturers and mentors in the program who work with students to achieve positive and meaningful futures.
The Minister for Training and Workforce Development, Hon Peter Collier MLC will present certificates to a group of Academy graduates at the launch event.
West Perth District Manager- Andrew Ridley said “This is a great program for Aboriginal Students and a great opportunity to up skill new coaches within our community. We hope to value add by allowing local indigenous youth to use football as a medium as they develop into local mentors for their siblings and communities.”
“The West Perth Football District in consultation with the West Perth Football Club look forward to working with the students, creating links between the students and local clubs and in developing footballs future leaders.”
The Academy is part of West Coast Institute of Training and is supported by the Australian Sports Commission, David Wirrpanda Foundation, Nyoongar Sports Association, West Perth District Football Development Council and the West Perth Football Club.
