An Australian Government grant will help 60 Indigenous Australians to get their first big break in an Australian Football League sports media career.

Speaking at an event before the ‘Dreamtime at the G’ match, the Minister for Employment Participation, Brendan O’Connor launched the ‘Indigenous Radio Broadcasting’ project which the Rudd Government is supporting through funding of $441,600.

Under the project 60 Indigenous Australians will undertake accredited training in a Certificate 3 Broadcasting (Radio) which will provide media career pathways, including for current AFL players seeking a career beyond their playing careers.

“This project aims to increase the skills of Indigenous Australians looking to a career in sports media but also increase the participation of Indigenous Australians in Australian Rules broadcasts,’ Mr O’Connor said.

“The project will also provide media career pathways to participants including current AFL players seeking a career after they retire from playing.  

“Indigenous Australians represent around 2.5 per cent the national population, yet account for 11 percent of AFL players.  

“The Government wants to translate the on-field sporting achievements of Indigenous AFL players to into off-field education and employment opportunities.

”The Australian Government is funding the project through the Structured Training and Employment Projects and is also supported by Your Financial Edge, the Brisbane Indigenous Media Association and the AFL.

Training will be delivered in Brisbane and at various venues where AFL games are played with participants to commentate games on the AFL Radio Broadcast via 989fm in Brisbane and across the National Indigenous Radio Service (NIRS).  

Senior Indigenous broadcasters and AFL expert callers and commentators will also mentor participants. The project also includes funding of $55,000 for a professional listener survey to identify potential broadcast sponsors to allow the expansion of the Indigenous radio service and therefore career opportunities for participants.

The project is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to halving the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous employment within a decade. This will require 100,000 Indigenous Australians to find and keep a job.

This week the AFL launched an Indigenous Framework and Employment Strategy which aims to raise off-field Indigenous employment in AFL clubs and state affiliates by 4 per in three years.