The Michael Long Foundation (MLF), funds education and football programs for indigenous people. This is achieved primarily through the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre (MLLLC), managed by the Australian Football League Northern Territory (AFLNT). These programs help unlock the potential in indigenous youth and enrich lives, while ensuring participants receive the same opportunities as their non-indigenous peers.
More than 800 children have benefited from the community-based education and leadership programs since the state-of-the-art Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre (MLLLC) officially opened in 2015.
MLLLC education programs recognise the major role football plays in our students' lives and have a distinct AFL-themed curriculum with a focus well beyond sport.
School attendance, engagement and behavior, completion of secondary education, work readiness and awareness of opportunities are some of the many outcomes the Centre is focused on improving.
MLLLC programs are designed to develop students' self-confidence and awareness of opportunities available to them.
"We want our students to emerge from our programs as leaders who make a positive impact on their community and others,"
the Michael Long Centre's programs manager Rychelle Vines said.
The MLF also supports AFLNT’s nationally recognized remote football projects. These programs provide regular and structured competitions for communities.
A team of Remote Development Managers (RDMs), live and work in Central Australia, Elcho Island, Gove, Groote Eylandt Lajamanu, Maningrida, the Tiwi Islands and Wadeye.
They tailor programs that are location-specific, endorse positive lifestyle choices, through health messages and activations in areas such as road safety, nutrition, anti-violence, substance abuse.
AFLNT's RDMs also assist talented male and female footballers to connect with relevant AFL pathway programs.
These programs share our vision for indigenous youth and together we endeavour to put young people on the right path to future success.