Football: Reaching Australia's Outback

With the support and assistance of the SANFL and the Office for Recreation and Sport, FFA Regional Participation Manager - Vito Basile, travelled to the APY Lands to conduct Football clinics to eight different Indigenous community groups.

ANANGU PITJANTJATJARA YANKUNYTJATJARA (APY) LANDS FOOTBALL DIARY

Driving through terrain which is so rugged, it pushes the mechanics and suspension of a 4WD vehicle to almost breaking point, these are the roads which guide you through the APY Lands. With the support and assistance of the SANFL and the Office for Recreation and Sport, FFA Regional Participation Manager - Vito Basile, travelled to the APY Lands to conduct Football clinics to eight different Indigenous community groups. This adventure was the first time the ‘World Game- was on offer within the sacred region, with both ball skills and small sided games provided to the local children in a structured manner.

In a sea of red desert sand and dust, both male and female children, some as young as three, tested their abilities to play football, many without shoes playing on fields littered with sticks and stones. With the help of the round ball, all the worries of the world were put to rest, as the children concentrated and focused on scoring as many goals as possible and attempting to try new tricks. Although at first, for some, the concept of using their feet only seemed quite daunting. The joy of witnessing the children play Football for the first time is priceless.

The APY Lands are a large Aboriginal local government area located in the remote far north west of South Australia, spilling into parts of Northern Territory and Western Australia. It covers a massive 102,650 km2 and has a population of approximately 2,500 people.

A permit is required for all visitors on the APY Lands. For those unfamiliar of the Lands, travel unaccompanied is not recommended. With the harsh Australian climate reaching extreme temperatures and conditions, combined with the poor quality of unsealed roads, the possibility of breakdown is extremely high - as was evident with the amount of burnt out or abandoned cars in the ‘middle of no where-. With no road signs, one wrong turn could quite possibly leave you stranded, as fuel supply is only limited to the community areas. For those seeking a 5-star hotel experience - you will be left disappointed.

With no Coles or Woolworths in close proximity, the communities come to life between the hours of 10am-2pm, as this is the time the ‘General Store- is open for business. The General Stores (one in each community) are only a few isles of groceries which supply the locals with there daily needs. With only the out of control population of dogs roaming the streets, the community could be considered as a tranquil place to be in outside these times.

Words of thanks reach out to Frank Leonard (SANFL) for organising the week and allowing Football - ‘the World Game- into the Lands, Russell Coulthard (Office for Recreation and Sport) for his support and guidance throughout the week, but for also handling some testing moments on the roads with ease, Alec Henry and Duane Von Senden for their ability in gathering the children to take part in the clinics and leading us on and around the APY Lands and finally to all the people living in the communities, for accepting and welcoming me into their way of life.

Below is a brief diary of the eye opening week-s experience:

SUNDAY JANUARY 17TH - Depart Adelaide - travel (fly) to Coober Pedy (800 kms) - Meet with Russell Coulthard - Indigenous Sport Development Officer (Office for Recreation and Sport) at Coober Pedy Airport. - Purchase food to take on the APY Lands. - Travel to Marla - 235 kms north of Coober Pedy (sealed roads). - Check-in to accommodation.

MONDAY JANUARY 18TH - Depart Marla - travel to Indulkana (45 kms - sealed and unsealed roads) - Meet with Alec Henry - East side APY Lands Sports Coordinator (SANFL) - Conduct Football clinic for Indulkana community. - Depart Indulkana - travel to Milmili (130 kms unsealed roads). - Conduct Football clinic for Milmili community. - Depart Milmili - return travel to Marla (175 kms - sealed and unsealed roads).

TUESDAY JANUARY 19TH - Check out - Depart Marla - travel to Fregon (250 kms sealed and unsealed roads) - Meet with Alec Henry - Conduct Football clinic for Fregon community. - Depart Fregon - travel to Ernabella (50 kms- unsealed road) - Conduct Football clinic for Ernabella community. - Travel to Umuwa (25 kms - unsealed road) - Check-in to accommodation

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20TH - Check out - Depart Umuwa - travel to Amata (130 kms - unsealed roads) - Meet with Duane Von Senden - West side APY Lands Sports Coordinator (SANFL) - Conduct Football clinic for Amata community. - Depart Amata - travel to Kanpi (140 kms- unsealed road) - Conduct Football clinic for Kanpi and Nyapari community - Travel to Nyapari (5 kms - unsealed road) - Sleep at Duane-s house

THURSDAY JANUARY 21ST - Depart Nyapari - travel to Pipalyatjara (180 kms - unsealed road) - Conduct Football clinic for Pipalyatjara community. - Depart Pipalyatjara - travel to Yulara - Ayres Rock (250 kms - unsealed roads) - Check-in to accommodation

FRIDAY JANUARY 22ND - Check out - Depart Yulara - travel (fly) to Alice Springs (600kms) - Depart Alice Springs - travel (fly) to Adelaide (1,530 kms)