KARI Foundation and the Wests Tigers partnership has strengthened since its launch in 2018. KARI Foundation partnered with the Wests Tigers Foundation to provide an Elite Pathways Camp for aspiring 15-16-year-old footballers. This camp provides a pathway for these young players to improve their skills and knowledge around football, as well as immersing themselves in their culture.
The Elite pathways camp ran for a week of the July school holidays, where 15 young Indigenous men had the opportunity to be put through their paces with Wests Tigers coaching staff, whilst simultaneously learning more about their culture.
The group of young Indigenous men started their week long camp with an intense fitness training session, held by the coaching staff of the Wests Tigers. The Elite Pathways camp is ultimately a pathway for rural Indigenous youth to access opportunities that could lead to a future career in the NRL. This camp offers these youth opportunities to learn from the best in the game, including a session with Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire.
Combined with video analysis, a few gym sessions and an ice bath, it’s safe to say these young men have walked away with some eye-opening knowledge on what it takes to become a National Rugby League footballer.
As a break from all the football talk, KARI provided the cultural element of the camp, including a leadership workshop with KARI Ambassador Beau Champion, a NAIDOC week workshop as well as a cultural workshop with KARI’s Troy Dargan that involved wood carving.
“The KARI Foundation & Wests Tigers Indigenous Elite Pathways Camp was deemed a huge success this year. Not only did the camp enable the young men to develop their rugby league skills and gain an understanding of what it takes to reach the elite level, the growth in confidence and leadership throughout the week was strongly recognised by our Pathways Coaches.”
See below to view some images from the camp
