The Clontarf Foundation believes that inadequate education and failure to experience achievement when young, coupled with a position of under-privilege, creates and drives a cycle of disadvantage that can lead to alienation, anger and then to more serious consequences. Disadvantage will transfer and increase from generation to generation as long as the causes are allowed to persist.
As a prelude to tackling these and other issues, participants in the foundation’s programs are first provided with an opportunity to succeed. This is an opportunity to raise their self esteem and re-engage these young Aboriginal males in the school environment. We use the existing passion that Aboriginal boys have for football to attract them to attend a Clontarf Academy. Members are not selected on football ability; though obviously most of them have some aptitude for the game. But this is not a sporting program; it is a sophisticated behavioural change program.
To remain in the academy, members must consistently endeavour to attend school regularly, apply themselves to the study of appropriate courses and embrace the academy’s requirements for behaviour and self-discipline. The approach has proven to be very successful, not only in attracting young men to school and retaining them, but also in having them embrace more disciplined, purposeful and healthy lives.
The Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, self esteem, life skills and employment prospects of young Aboriginal men and by doing so, equip them to participate more meaningfully in society.
Clontarf academies are formed in association with selected schools and colleges. As well as coordinating the football program, academy staff mentor and counsel students in a range of behavioural and lifestyle issues, while the school caters for their specific educational needs.
Clontarf’s Chief Executive Officer Gerard Neesham will discuss: the methodology of the foundation’s programs, which aim to develop positive life cycles for these young men; the outcomes being achieved; and, many of the obvious questions, such as: why football? and what about the girls?
"Sowing and Growing" Life Skills Through Garden-Based Learning to Reengage Disengaged Youth
