St Kilda Football Club has welcomed the Navy Indigenous Development Program (NIDP) in for a special tour of RSEA Park before the Australian Defence Force AFL National Carnival. 

The cadets were shown around the club’s elite facilities by AFLW players Jess Sedunary and Georgia Patrikios, spoke to several of the Saints’ Indigenous figures and were treated to lunch with the boys afterwards. 

St Kilda’s Indigenous Welfare Support/Development Coach, Nathan Lovett-Murray, said it was a fantastic experience for the group to travel the country and meet other young Indigenous people. 

“It’s great for young Indigenous people from around the country to be involved in the Navy, supporting our country and making the most of the opportunities,” Lovett-Murray told saints.com.au. 

“It was great for them to visit, tour our facilities and meet the players and coaches. 

Hopefully they got something out of the conversations they heard and will go on and achieve their goals and dreams.

- Nathan Lovett-Murray

The NIDP is for young Indigenous adults that want to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF), but may be have difficulty in reading and writing or fitness. 

The NIDP run five-and-a-half-month residential courses that focus on language, literacy and numeracy training, military skills, physical fitness, Vocational Education and Training, cultural appreciation and leadership and character development.

 By the end of the course, those enrolled will have the skills, knowledge and attitude to continue on with a full-time career in the ADF. 

The ADF AFL National Carnival takes place between 15-21 March, with games at Beaconsfield, Frankston and Punt Road in both men’s and women’s competition.