Swans in the Top End: All smiles at 'Kick The Habit' Footy Festival
The Sydney Swans have concluded their journey through the Top End with a successful ‘Kick The Habit’ Footy Festival in Maningrida - a smoke-free carnival that promoted an important health message through sport and a stop into Jabiru.
The event was the catalyst of a trip in the West Arnhem Land that saw a contingent of Swans players and staff embark on a special eight-day journey.
Activities included visits to schools, aged care facilities, local homelands, and AFL clinics for the local community, with the mantra of ‘Strong Lungs, Strong Body, Say No To Smokes' at the heart of all messaging as the club looked to combat help the 50% of people in Maningrida who smoke.
In partnership with Malal'a Indigenous Health Service and as part of the Australian Government's Tackle Indigenous Smoking program, the club’s primary focus was to promote healthy living through footy, while also enriching their understanding of Australia’s connection to country and First Nations People.
The footy festival in particular was a resounding success that saw participants come from different parts of the West Arnhem Land region to play AFL.
A passionate Welcome to Country ceremony kicked off proceedings on Friday evening before boys and girls from different regions participated in a Youth Clinic. The AFL and AFLW players lead warm ups and training drills, before featuring in the four fixtures and having a kick with the locals.
The weekend saw an incredible two days of footy which males and females participating in a two-day tournament, which families and friends coming together from across Arnhem Land, including Gunbalanya and Milingimbi, to partake in the event.
Michael O’Loughlin, a Bloods Champion and one of 19 First Nations players to represent the Swans, said he was incredibly proud to take part in a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ event.
"I've joined for the final four or five days and it has been pretty special. You can see the reactions from the community and we've got a huge number who have come from surrounding parts of Maningrida who have joined in on the action," O'Loughlin said.
"It has been an absolute pleasure to be here (and it's) a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come to a place like this."
AFL players Sam Wicks, Matt Roberts and Patrick Snell featured prominently in the festival, playing in fixtures across two action-packed days, while AFLW players Maddy Collier, Tanya Kennedy, Eliza Vale and Sarah Steele-Park (train-on) also played alongside members of the local community.
"It really does put things into perspective. I think some people have travelled from other islands to be here - even driven four or five hours to come here and play some footy," Wicks said.
"It's been a great way for us to connect with them because we obviously love our footy as well. It's a great way to bond with them."
The community quickly filled with red and white as Swans merchandise was handed out to the community.
The Swans would like to extend a sincere thank you to the community of Maningrida, the Australian Defence Force, Malal'a Health & AMSANT for their contribution in making the trip so memorable. West Arnhem Regional Council staff from Jabiru and Maningrida also supported the event.
West Arnhem Regional Council (WARC) Wellbeing Services Coordinator Jabiru/ Maningrida Aden Reeves said, “It was fantastic to be a part of such a well organised and well attended event. The week included an amazing mix of high quality football clinics and matches as well as plenty of time on country going fishing, four wheel driving and collecting bush tucker. Well done to all the teams involved and the support staff to making this event such a success!”
A big shout out to WARC YSR team leader Maningrida Edward Dudanga who put in a mammoth effort throughout the week to ensure proceedings ran smoothly.