FOUR talented young AFL players, all from far north Queensland, have received the opportunity of a lifetime thanks to a partnership program between Faith Lutheran College, Redlands and the Redland Bombers AFL team.
BY LYN UHLMANN
Bayside Bulletin
FOUR talented young AFL players, all from far north Queensland, have received the opportunity of a lifetime thanks to a partnership program between Faith Lutheran College, Redlands and the Redland Bombers AFL team.
Stannis Agita, 17, from Townsville, Anthony Stewart, 17, from Cairns, Jack Goodall, 16, from Port Douglas, and Dominic Stout-Milkins, 16, from Townsville, were last year identified by regional AFL managers as the most talented young AFL players in country Queensland.
They were brought this year to the Redlands to complete their Year 12 studies at Faith while developing their AFL skills with the Redland Bombers.
The boys, all of whom have played AFL for the Queensland country team, the Kookaburras, are billeting with local families.
Stannis will take a vocational education pathway through his final school year while Anthony, Jack and Dominic are each studying for an OP.
Faith College principal Anthony Mueller said it was good to give students from the country the opportunity to play a higher level of AFL while they completed their studies.
“It’s about doing something for them, but it’s also good for all our students to see other kids achieving at a high level,” he said.
“There are big expectations on these students.
“They were selected not only because they’re good sportsmen, but also because they embrace the Faith values, and it’s expected that their studies will come before football.”
Redland Football Club club development manager Phil Carse said the team/college partnership provided the young regional players with “the best opportunity to develop as people both on and off the field”.
“We target these boys as being the best of the best, and it brings talent to the Bombers as well,” he said.
The four new students each said they were grateful for the opportunity to play AFL while completing their school studies.
“My dream is to play footy, but I also hope to get a good job that will support me,” Dominic said.
His fellow players agreed.
