Remote Program Trainee settling into new position

Being appointed remote and indigenous development officer is not quite what I expected. To be honest I had no idea the amount of talent that was hidden in these remote areas. So far, so good. I’m really beginning to get an idea of what my job is all about. I love coming to work knowing that every day brings something new. The job is what I expected plus more. I knew that I would be involved with indigenous kids and kids from remote areas.At the moment however  I have a program going on with the Active after School Care with St joseps School right here in Cairns. I teach 55 kids every Tuesday and only about three or four of these kids are indigenous. This is a positive as I really get a feel of the difference between local kids and kids from remote areas.

I find that trying to find the kids trust when you first meet them is challenging. Because I don’t come across as aboriginal the kids find it very hard to open up to me. As I am an outgoing person I try my hardest to gain the kids trust as quickly as possible. As far as the remote program goes my goal is to get these kids to love the sport. To eventually love it enough for the remote areas to make their own clubs and competitions in their communities. 

I just can’t wait to travel to Thursday Island on the 19th of November for the Migi Kokan competition. We will be selecting a develpment squad at the Championships with the view to having the Torres Strait Island Squad attend the State Under 13 Hockey Championships in Atherton in 2010 as part of the Hockey Qld remote and indigenous youth state championships.