‘Taking Flight’ is Essendon’s newest education initiative. 

The cultural immersion program saw a group young Indigenous people from Victoria travel to the Northern Territory where they undertook a leadership and mentoring program.

“They’ve all be identified as having potential to go and become leaders, not only in their community, but hopefully a little bit broader,” Anglicare Victoria Community Development Officer, David Law, said. 

“Hopefully with that little bit of a lift and encouragement and certain educational tools they can take that next step.” 

Throughout their week in the Top End, the Taking Flight members spent time with Essendon players Shaun Edwards, Jake Long and Courtenay Dempsey.

The players outlined their journey to the AFL, provided advice and got to know the participants in a relaxed atmosphere.

“The Essendon players are important because it shows there is a human element to it,” Law said.

“So whether the person has achieved in sport, or in art, or whatever field they choose to do – the capturing of the human side of it is very important.

“It demystifies elitism.  All of a sudden you say he’s just a normal guy.  So it’s a very important tool.”

Essendon’s head of Community Michelle Murray said the Club plays an important role in developing the leaders of tomorrow.

“That brand that we’ve got can do so much for these kids as far as making sure that someone actually believes in them,” Murray said.

“They’ve seen first hand how our players have overcome adversity to move from a rural, remote place and then actually involve themselves in the big city and a football club and that discipline that’s required to be an AFL footballer. 

“For some of these kids – no they’re not going to be AFL footballers but there is lots of different things they can take on and challenges they can do.

“Just by watching these guys, it gives them hope that ‘yes I can achieve that as well’.”