NINE months ago, Kyran Cole moved 2000kms away from his home in Alice Springs to Melbourne.

Cole had spent almost the entirety of his life in the centre of Australia, growing up alongside his family and friends, playing footy for the Pioneers and working at the Stanley Chasm, a cultural place owned and operated by his family.

While he loved Alice Springs, at 18, his plan was to make the journey down to Victoria and study a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne.

Little did he know that this plan would also see him land a role at the Melbourne Football Club.

“I loved growing up in Alice Springs,” Cole said.

“It’s obviously different living in Melbourne, the biggest difference being that I knew a lot of people in Alice Springs, all my family and friends were there.

“I spent two years in Adelaide, at boarding school, which helped bridge the gap between Alice Springs and Melbourne. 

“When I moved to Melbourne, I hardly knew anyone, but I do love living in the city.”

Cole is the club’s First Nations Coordinator and his journey to the Dees actually started when he met AFL legend Eddie Betts.

His connection to Betts helped inspire him to apply for the position at the Dees.

Cole first met Betts through The Eddie Betts Foundation, which selected Cole to be a part of its Youth Football Academy.

“A scout selected myself and another player from the central Australia region to meet with Eddie and after a few interviews, I was given the opportunity to go on an Academy trip,” Cole said.

“These trips are either performance testing and education or a game which they play against the Bachar Houli Foundation.

“I think Eddie started the Foundation to support young football players, but to also show them opportunities outside football and outside their hometowns.

“So, a month after I moved, I reached out to Eddie about work opportunities in Melbourne and I interviewed for the role at the Dees.”

The First Nations Coordinator role is a new addition for the Dees, created as part of the club’s commitment to community initiatives that are thoughtfully shaped and delivered by First Nations leaders.

The club’s partnership with the Jim Stynes Foundation (JSF) also sees Cole focus on the implementation of JSF’s Murrup Pillar, which includes programs and initiatives that promote positive health outcomes for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Having only been in the role for a few months now, Cole is still settling into life at Melbourne but is already excited for where he can take the club and what programs he can help lead.  

“When it comes to First Nations discussions, I’m a part of the conversation…it’s been really fun,” Cole said.

“I’ve been working closely with Ellie (Head of Community and the Jim Stynes Foundation), working across existing community programs and JSF initiatives.

“Now that I’ve been in the role for a bit of time, I’ve started discussing First Nations initiatives and projects that I can shape.

“That will be my next focus, trying to develop and find avenues within the club to lead those opportunities.”