Northam Training Venue for Perth FC
Donation protected
A senior player at Perth Football Club, Callum Walley (26) was recently appointed the club’s first Aboriginal engagement officer; a task he takes very seriously.
“Perth has more indigenous players than any other WAFL club,” he said.
“From the Year 8 development squads right through to our senior team, we have about 80 Aboriginal boys.”
A first of its kind within the WAFL clubs, the role was created by the Demons to facilitate the development of talented young footballers from the club’s country zones – both on and off the field.
“It was started up as a way for the boys from country towns to be in Perth and make it easy for them to get to training and play games,” Walley said.
“Sydney and Gordon are from Northam and Nicky is from Tammin, so it is just too far for them to be travelling all the time.
"I make sure they get to every training session and game, so hopefully it does wonders for their footy this year.”
Proving their worth, the trio represented the club at the State under-18s talent week last month.
“Perth had seven representatives, and all seven of them were Aboriginal,” Walley said. “That’s massive, considering some clubs had no indigenous representatives.”
On top of supervising the boys, Walley also works closely with the Banksia Hill Detention Centre, as well as running football clinics.
Walley said the club’s aim was to give the boys the best chance at being drafted.
Perth Football Club utilise a Training Camp in Northam to reduce travelling times and days for Regional Players at a Cost of $2,000.
If we can raise funds to cover these costs, we can direct our funds to other projects.
“Perth has more indigenous players than any other WAFL club,” he said.
“From the Year 8 development squads right through to our senior team, we have about 80 Aboriginal boys.”
A first of its kind within the WAFL clubs, the role was created by the Demons to facilitate the development of talented young footballers from the club’s country zones – both on and off the field.
“It was started up as a way for the boys from country towns to be in Perth and make it easy for them to get to training and play games,” Walley said.
“Sydney and Gordon are from Northam and Nicky is from Tammin, so it is just too far for them to be travelling all the time.
"I make sure they get to every training session and game, so hopefully it does wonders for their footy this year.”
Proving their worth, the trio represented the club at the State under-18s talent week last month.
“Perth had seven representatives, and all seven of them were Aboriginal,” Walley said. “That’s massive, considering some clubs had no indigenous representatives.”
On top of supervising the boys, Walley also works closely with the Banksia Hill Detention Centre, as well as running football clinics.
Walley said the club’s aim was to give the boys the best chance at being drafted.
Perth Football Club utilise a Training Camp in Northam to reduce travelling times and days for Regional Players at a Cost of $2,000.
If we can raise funds to cover these costs, we can direct our funds to other projects.
Organizer
Joanne Dunning-Smith
Organizer
Burswood WA
