The Collingwood Football Club hosted the annual Clontarf Foundation’s State of Origin Series and All-Australian selection for the second year in a row.

The three-day football carnival, held at Victoria Park, is the capstone event for young and up-and-coming First Nation’s footballers from across Australia.

The Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem, and employment opportunities of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, in a hope to equip them with meaningful life skills through football.

A culmination of hard work from the year, the Foundation’s top participants are invited to compete in the State of Origin Series to display their talent, in a hope of winning the series or being selected in the All-Australian team.

In addition to skills on the football field, the participants are selected based off of school merit, which includes attendance record, display of leadership skills and their engagement in after school activities.

“We commenced the program in 2000 in Perth, so a fair while ago now with 25 boys. As of today, we've got over 11,500 students in 160 schools full time around Australia.” Mark Riley, Clontarf Foundation Zone Manager explains.

The Foundation has academies across Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, and the Northern Territory. 

Collingwood great, and proud Whadjuk / Ballardong man Leon Davis attended the carnival and led a tour of the Magpie’s facilities at the AIA Vitality Centre. 

Davis spoke to the group about his journey, the cultural evolution of the football club, and the importance of staying connected to culture when it comes to achieving your goals.

“What’s really well known is, our First Nations boys are really good at sports and if we can tie that in with education and work ethic… it's a great pathway to getting the recognition they deserve.” said Davis.

Collingwood Senior Coach Craig McRae was also in attendance and spoke to the group offering insight into a ‘winner’s mindset’.

Western Australia were the overall winners of the Clontarf State of Origin Series.

The Club is honoured to support the Clontarf Foundation through the Collingwood Community Foundation’s Barrawarn initiative, and help provide a platform for the talented group of young men.

Contribute to the Collingwood Community Foundation here.