In 2003 AFL Cape York, in partnership with schools and individual families, commenced offering scholarships to students through the AFL Kickstart program. These scholarships provide opportunities for selected students to attend boarding schools and continue their progress through the AFL Queensland Development Pathway. We also offer community based scholarships where the student is able to remain in their community but be supported by AFL Kickstart in relation to AFL programs.

The focus for selection for the scholarships was (and is) to identify students who show strong leadership qualities (in education and community), not necessarily based on AFL skills. Development staff are constantly looking for students who fit the criteria during their visits to the communities we service. To date, twenty scholarships have been awarded to students from remote and isolated communities.

The Season That Was

Isaac Rokeby is an AFL Academy student at Djarragun College, coming from Coen in the centre of Cape York, who has had a fantastic year with his chosen sport of AFL in 2011. Isaac started the year off by being selected in the AFL Cape York Crusader U16 team to contest the QLD Country Championships and from there he has blossomed and had a very impressive football season.
Isaac started the year off by playing a huge part in the successful AFL Cape York Crusader Team in the U16 Queensland Country Championships held in Rockhampton in April. Isaac showed great skill and poise throughout the championships which resulted in his selection in the U16 QLD Country Championships to contest the State Titles in Brisbane from April 28th – 30th.
At the State Titles Isaac performed well across half forward where he set up goals and kicked a few himself. His poise in and around the stoppages, and speed and flair when he had the ball, impressed state selectors enough to include him into the State squad. The State squad was then trimmed after a camp where Isaacs test results and skills impressed to earn him a spot in the final 25 to head to Sydney for the National U16 titles where he represented Queensland.
Although Isaac suffered an ankle injury in the first of three games at the National Titles and struggled through the second game he was back to his scintillating best, using his flair and forward line tackling pressure to play a pivotal part in Queensland’s National Title win.
Since representing Queensland, Isaac has played in the inaugural State U15 Indigenous team which contested the National U15 Indigenous titles held on the Gold Coast in August. Again, Isaac played well.
With all of Isaacs’s representative duties you would think that there was no room (or time) to play sport locally, however this has not been the case. Isaac was a permanent player with his local U16 Pyramid Power team which made the finals, in a year where Isaac kicked bags of goals each week.
Isaac also made his debut with the MyStyle North Cairns FC Senior team, where he played a total of five games and finished equal leading goal kicker with 23 goals from his five games. What a fantastic feat for a 16 year old in a competition with men.
Isaac has some amazing attributes, including; skill, speed, flair, tackling pressure, special awareness, ball winning ability and reading the ball in his area. Add these to his hunger and love of kicking goals and you have an exceptionally exciting talent.
Isaac has also done well in athletics with his school in the sprint category where he has represented Djarragun College and the region.
Be sure to keep an eye out for the name Isaac Rokeby as he has some exciting opportunities ahead. However it is not all about playing football, Isaac needs to make sure he concentrates on his schooling and completes his studies so he then has a bright future off the field and in life, as well as on the field where his competitive nature and love lie. All of us here at AFL Cape York wish him all the best in his future.

	Name: Christoper Hunt Age: 18 Nick Name: Hunt 7 Community of Origin: Thursday Island School Attending: QUT - Brisbane Football Team: Sherwood U18 Favourite Position: C H B Favourite AFL Team: Kangaroos Career Goal: Social Worker AFL Goal: Play AFL National Camp Career Achievements: U/14 – U/16 Crusaders U/14 – U/16 Kookaburras AFL Michael Voss Scholarship		Name: Thomas Holland Age: 16 Nick Name: TJ Community of Origin: Thursday Island School Attending: Scotch College Football Team: Scotch College Favourite Position: C H F Favourite AFL Team: Bombers Career Goal: Not Sure AFL Goal: Play in National League Career Achievements: U 14 – 16 Crusaders U12, U14, U16 Kookaburras U16 QLD Team 2008 Kickstart Scholarship
	Name: Anzack Newman Age: 16 Nick Name: Community of Origin: Bamaga School Attending: Scotch College Football Team: Scotch College Favourite Position: H F F Favourite AFL Team: Bombers Career Goal: Mechanic AFL Goal: Drafted Career Achievements: U12 – 14 – 16 Crusaders U12, U14, U16 Kookaburras Kickstart Scholarship		Name: Malcom Dotoi Age: Nick Name: Community of Origin: Cooktown School Attending: JCU, Cairns Football Team: Favourite Position: Favourite AFL Team: Career Goal: Physio AFL Goal: CareerAchievements: U12 & U14 Crusaders, Educational Scholarship and finished second in the Associate Public Schools Under 16 age group
	Name: Didymus Blanket Age: 13 Nick Name: Didy Community of Origin: Badu Island School Attending: Scotch College Football Team: Scotch College Favourite Position: Ruck Rover Favourite AFL Team: Saints Career Goal: Not sure AFL Goal: Drafted Career Achievements: U12 Crusaders Kickstart Scholarship

 

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• Media Publicity

  • 23 December 2011 Indigenous pair shine at Oceania Youth C
  • 06 December 2011 Fijian Cup experience awaits indigenous
  • 04 November 2011 Winning is not goal for Crusaders