World Footy News

The following press release from the AFL Northern Territory outlines funding agreements which will strengthen player pathways for the NT Thunder NEAFL team for the next two years, and benefit players well beyond that time.

The Northern Territory Thunder Football and Federal Minister for Health and Sport, the Hon Peter Dutton, today signed a funding agreement that provides over $800K in the next two years for NT Thunder, to continue strengthening its player pathway programs.

NT Thunder CEO Jarred Ilett was delighted to meet Minister Dutton today at TIO stadium and is thrilled at the level of support provided by the Federal Government for NT Thunder’s suite of programs being delivered throughout the NT.

CEO Jarred Ilett commented that “The funding provided by the Federal Government and signed off on today by Minister Dutton will allow us to retain a number of resources primarily in Central Australia whose job it is to engage as many young Territorians as possible in the NT Thunder program.”

“The Thunder program is as much about health, education and employment as it is about football, and today’s funding announcement will allow the club to continue to commit to ensuring program participants adhere to the core values of the club. I thank Minister Dutton not only for the funding provided but for sharing our vision for the future of young Territorians.”

The funding will see NT Thunder maintain its strong presence in Central Australia and new head coach and Xavier Clarke expects NT Thunder staff to make more community visits in the coming months as the club works hard to deliver on its  promise of being ‘the Territory team’.

Head Coach Xavier Clarke commented, “I took on the head coaching role knowing that key to our success is opening up the program to as many people as possible so they can benefit from the many outcomes that the program delivers both on and more importantly off the oval. The funding announced today will allow the club to increase our reach into remote NT and improve access into our player pathway and player welfare programs for many young Territorians.”

“For me it’s as important that our program participants have a bright future and the club works hard to ensure anyone involved in the NT Thunder is study, working or engaged in a training program. It’s an important philosophy and the cornerstone of our clubs foundation strategy.”