AFL Tasmania and the Tasmanian Education Department have announced a new partnership to enable the provision of five leadership seminars for Tasmanian high school and college students by AFL Youth Ambassador, Jason McCartney, and a number of AFL players in early May.
AFL Tasmania's General Manager, Scott Wade, and the Minister for Education, the honourable Paula Wriedt, detailed the visit at Aurora Stadium today and were joined by student leaders and school principals from the Exeter and Prospect High Schools.
Minister Wriedt announced a grant to AFL Tasmania that, with the combined assistance of the AFL, will enable AFL Tasmania to conduct the seminars for 5000 students in 3 locations throughout Tasmania.
The Jason McCartney `Live the Dream' seminars are being offered in all regions as follows:
1. Tuesday 3 May from 11am at DEC in Hobart.
2. Wednesday 4 May from 9.45am, 12.30pm and 6.30pm at Door of Hope Auditorium in Launceston.
3. Thursday 5 May from 10.30am at Civic Centre in Burnie.
The Live the Dream seminars are a key component of AFL Tasmania's `High School Program' for 2005, which includes rostered and knockout competitions, football skill development, basic umpiring courses and educational resources.
In detailing the seminars Mr Wade and Minister Wriedt supported their conduct because of the value that elite footballers have as some of society's positive role models.
Minister Wriedt stated: "that these role models have been developed on and off the field of Australian Rules football and the path they have taken pursuing, living and fulfilling their dreams makes their stories inspirational to many."
Mr Scott Wade agreed and detailed the background to Jason McCartney's visit:
The AFL Youth Ambassador Jason McCartney has been an inspiration to countless Australians. On 12 October 2002, more than 200 people were killed in separate attacks in Bali. Jason suffered burns to 50 percent of his body and significant shrapnel wounds. As a result of Jason's public status as a Kangaroos player, his recovery was well publicised and embraced by the Australian public. Through the media we joined him on his road to recovery from this near fatal induced coma to his heroic return and exit from the AFL game. His inspirational story in overcoming his personal anguish was shaped by his determination to fulfil his individual goals.
The AFL, Jason McCartney and the current AFL stars have developed a seminar designed to motivate youth of today and provide them with the necessary tools in order to live their dreams. The seminar is designed to provide attendees with the necessary skills to take control of their destiny by understanding decision-making, leadership, support networks and goal setting. The intention of the seminar and associated workbook is to motivate individuals to help enable them to "live the dream", to achieve what they want to achieve.
To date more than 2000 students and teachers have registered to participate in the Tasmanian seminars, which will be the largest conducted in Australia in 2005. Schools and Colleges that require more information on how to become involved should contact AFL Tasmania on 63330602.
Last Modified on 21/04/2005 11:31