Mat Stokes and Nakia Cockatoo from the Geelong Cats joined NT Police yesterday to travel to Yirrkala where they were met by the local schools and AFLNT to conduct a football clinic and reinforce key community safety messages about Healthy Relationships, Healthy Choices and Healthy Education.
Senior Sergeant Nathan Finn from Remote Policing Command said NT Police engaged with AFL teams as a partnership for the remote community initiative to provide role models to support and help deliver community safety messages.
“Both Mat and Nakia along with the Geelong Football Club were keen to be involved in the Northern Territory Police Force (NTPF) initiative.
“The NTPF see this as an important community engagement initiative. It’s another avenue to highlight the benefits of Healthy Relationships, Healthy Choices and Healthy Education through the use of community leaders and mentors from the AFL while using football as a fun and exciting platform for the dissemination of these key messages.
“Along with reinforcing this community safety information, the community members from Nhulunbuy and Yirrkala and surrounding communities were provided with AFL skills through the football clinic session.
AFL Northern Territory along with local Nhulunbuy Police and key community stakeholders in Yirrkala also supported this initiative.
Tony Frawley, Chief Executive Officer of AFLNT said AFL Northern Territory is delighted to support this Remote Policing initiative with two of the Territories favourite football sons.
“Nakia and Mat are both exceptional role models for young Territorians and their visit to the Gove Peninsula was a welcome one.
“We continue to place eleven of our employees in remote communities full time, and like NT Police, are committed to assisting and developing youth through football in these communities.”
The Northern Territory Police Force and AFL clubs with the support of AFLNT are looking at expanding this initiative across the NT in the future.
“I cannot thank the Geelong Football Club enough, in particular Mathew Stokes and Nakia Cockatoo for their enthusiasm and willingness to participate in this important community initiative, along with the support of Simone Bellears, Community Development Manager, and the Geelong Football Club,” Senior Sergeant Nathan Finn said.
Mathew Stokes and Senior Sergeant Nathan Finn take the kids through some drills.
Mathew Stokes and Senior Sergeant Nathan Finn demonstrate ball skills.
Senior Sergeant Nathan Finn and Nakia Cockatoo talk to the kids about healthy choices.
Stoksey and Cockatoo conduct kicking practice.
Wishing the two Cats a safe trip home, the NT Police thank Stokesy and Cockatoo for their support.
