Northern Territory Engagement

The club has a proud and long running connection with the Northern Territory.

As part of our commitment to the community, the club’s players & staff makes regular visits to Alice Springs to engage with and support communities. Our engagement in Alice includes but is not limited to:

  • “The Heart of the Nation Game” in Alice Springs
  • AFLW & VFLW matches in Alice Springs
  • Community outreach visits to local schools, community groups, footy clinics, prisons & hospitals
  • Community visits from our Indigenous mascot “Flash”
  • Remote community visits
  • Coaching forums & Next Generation Academy sessions
  • Active support of the “Clean Faces, Healthy Eyes” Trachoma awareness campaigns including hygiene stations and education sessions
  • Health promotion collateral & advertisement creation to be played on NT TV
  • Multiple Cultural Immersion staff reward & recognition program
  • Exclusive match-day opportunities including Guard of Honour & clinics
  • Opportunities for people from remote communities to design our Indigenous Guernseys
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Santa Teresa Oval Project

In the community of Santa Teresa (Ltyentye Apurte), 80km from Alice Springs, now sits a newly grassed oval. 

The ground is regularly maintained and includes goalposts from the MCG as well as brand new lights funded by the Central Land Council. 

The Melbourne Football Club are extremely proud of the Santa Teresa Oval Re-Grassing Project and in turn bringing about sustainable change that allows the Ltyentye Apurte and broader community to participate in playing footy.  

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Read more about the project >

Eradicating Trachoma

Australia is the only developed nation to still Trachoma, an infection that causes blindness and is mainly found in children.

Since 2008, the club has teamed with the University of Melbourne’s Indigenous Eye Health Unit with the goal of eliminating Trachoma

In 2008, 21% of children in remote NT communities had Trachoma, that number is now below 4% and the hope is that by 2020 the rate will be low enough to have certification from the World Health Organisation that Trachoma is no longer a public health problem.

Our male & female Indigenous players are wonderful ambassadors for the “Clean Faces, Strong Eyes” campaign, featuring next to the clubs great friend Milpa, the Trachoma Goanna.

Learn more about Trachoma >

Reconciliation Action Plan

In July 2017, the Melbourne Football Club successfully launched their inaugural RAP at the Koorie Heritage Trust in Federation Square.

Our RAP is our way of helping to bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous disadvantage through a series of actions, trainings, events and experiences. In essence, the Melbourne Football Club aims to provide a safe and welcoming environment for any indigenous player or employee and our RAP reflects our commitment to this. 

The club is busily preparing for our second RAP submission which will be completed in 2020.