Indigenous stars Leroy Jetta and Courtenay Dempsey, and emerging midfielder Heath Hocking, recently headed north to visit Essendon’s Indigenous community partners in Wadeye and the Tiwi Islands.

During their three-day visit, the players assisted in the delivery of a coaching course, toured Tiwi College and Clontarf Academy and ran several skills sessions for students in both communities.

Essendon community manager Russell James said the trip provided the players with the opportunity to further strengthen the relationship between the club and the communities.

“The trip allowed the players to experience the culture of Wadeye and Tiwi Islands firsthand and gain a greater understanding of what Australian Rules football means to these communities,"" James said.

“Senior community elders spent time with the players teaching them about local dreaming stories and the history of the Wadeye region as well as inviting them to eat with the local community.

“The players also assisted in the delivery of a coaching course for 15 local coaches and players, helping them to understand the role they need to play as leaders among the football community.""

Essendon’s Indigenous community program partner, DESA Australia, also took part in the visit to Wadeye to conduct a communications audit of the school.

“We are really grateful for the support DESA Australia is playing to assist Essendon in developing remote communication links between the school and the football club so Essendon players and students can communicate on a regular basis,” James said.

The visit forms part of the AFL Club Community Fostership Program which sees the Essendon Football Club, AFL, AFL Northern Territory and the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA) work together using football to build the capacity of Wadeye and the Tiwi Islands.