Football stars from the Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles have spent NAIDOC Week mentoring West Australian prisoners, teaching them valuable skills on and off the field.
Veteran Dockers forward Michael Walters, and Michael Frederick, Sebit Kuek, and Conrad Williams were greeted by a huge crowd at Wooroloo Prison Farm, where the players held a yarning and autograph signing session with prisoners.
Walters said the sessions are a great way to bring the people in care together – and maybe inspire some of the prisoners to pursue the sport further.
“Footy is a big part of the community and even if it’s just for a couple of hours, there’s no doubt sport brings everyone together,” he said.
“Hopefully it ignites a bit of passion for them, and they can get out and play AFL.”
It’s a passion the AFLW Dockers team have also been fostering at Melaleuca Women’s Prison with regular visits to run footy clinics and games.
As injured Captain Angelique Stannett cheered on from the sidelines, fellow Dockers including forward Mikayla Morrison, veteran Ebony Antonio and new recruits Gabby Biedenweg-Websterand and former No.1 draft pick Gabby Newton umpired and played in a match between prison teams Deadly Divas and Djookanka (Sisters), whose team jerseys were designed by one of the Prison’s recreational officers.
Defender Madeleine Scanlon, who has been a driving force behind the visits, said she’d seen the positive effect football has had on the women in care at Melaleuca.
“I think footy gives a really strong sense of community, and I know that it might be difficult to find that in here but if you can find yourself a team, you have sisters, you have people that you can rely on,” she said.
West Coast Eagles including Liam Ryan, Jamaine Jones and Tyler Brockman along with retired Eagle Sharrod Wellingham had their turn to be spectators at Casuarina Prison’s NAIDOC Shield Grand Final.
Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce praised the players for volunteering their time.
“These players have truly proved themselves to be great role models as well as sports stars”, he said. “The lessons they’re passing on about teamwork, community and leadership through football will only help the prisoners’ rehabilitation journey.”
