RPRTP Redtails U17 trip to Newington College 30.03.2023

 

Redtails U17 team trip to Sydney to verse Newington College – 30.03.2023 to 1.04.2023

This trip was planned for 2020 but due to the Covid Pandemic that engulfed the world and our nation it was put on hold until 2023.

So as you can imagine it was with a great deal of excitement that the U17 Redtails lads began training once the organisers got the flights confirmed and details of the trip with Newington College, of whom were just as keen to host our lads. Those involved at Newington College were able to research our Right Track Program and were keen to learn more and to meet those involved in person.

For the organisers ofourRPRTP it meant it was time to put the skates on to finalise team selection from training efforts, school attendance and so forth. As well as the playing and travelling apparel and the trip itinerary and necessary correspondence and consent from parents and carers. In amongst all this Rob and fellow RPRTP assistant coach Damien Hall from Mildura were organising a game for the senior Redtails participants to verse Sunraysia in Mildura mid April. Some how in amongst all of this organising Rob Clarke was able to get Patrick Ryder to play with the Mildura team. This was verytimely as Patrick flew in for a training session with the Senior Redtails the day prior to the U17 Redtails squad flying to Sydney.




This meant all the lads got to meet Patrick at their final training session on the Wednesday and he also was flying out of Alice Springs back to Melbourne on the Thursday 30th that the U17 Redtails were flying to Sydney. Patrick joined the group at Traeger Park and the airport allowing the group to have some one on one time with him. 
A very unique highlight  and some great photos of Patrick where taken with the group. 






Redtails U17 team trip to Sydney to verse Newington College – 30.03.2023  – Photos with AFL Player - Patrick Ryder

Standing: Sarah Steele-Park,Tyrell Coulthard, Taylem Stubbs, Declan Abbott, Jack Newman, Mitchell Pearce, Jeremiah Pepperill, Tyreece Forbes, Patrick Ryder, Rhys Craig, Malachai Waterford, Jacob Ross, Robert Nardoo, Fred Campbell, Nelson Anders, Ricky Mentha, Ian McAdam, Rob Clarke.

Kneeling: DarrenTalbot, Addyson Lowe, Kyran Cole, Kaleel Ross, 
Tekai Lankin, Mason Tilmouth, Malakai LeRossignol, Kavahn Roger, Jack Farrell.


The RPRTP Coaches - Darren Talbot, Rob Clarke, Fred Campbell, Ian McAdam with Patrick Ryder

Redtails U17 team trip to Sydney to verse Newington College – Trip information via RPRTP Facebook posts from 30.03.2023 to 1.04.2023

Our young lads are on their way to Sydney to experience a new place for many and represent their family, community and the Central Australian Region.

A big thank you to Paddy Ryder, his engagement over the short amount of time he has had at training and with the lads has been priceless.

Will try to keep you all updated with the lead up to Friday nights game against Newington College in Sydney town.

Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Program

#embracethepassiondeveloptolead

30.03.2023 - Our lads have been blown away with the just how welcoming everyone from Newington College have been and the enormity of the facilities.

The Redtails also got to meet and listen to 10 year coach of the GWS Giants in a training shirt presentation to the lads.

Heading back to the accommodation now in preparation for the big day tomorrow.








Newington College Indigenous T-shirt design information

ARTIST -Blak Douglas, 2022 Archibald Prize Winner
NGALYA - “Ally, friend in battle”
Nagalya is a word used in the Dharug dialect, which is the language spoken by the First Nations people who have walked on Stanmore campus long before the school was established.
The Indigenous students selected the word Nagalya “with the inference that everyone that chooses to put on the Newington Indigenous jersey is now an ally, accepting the responsibility to support their Indigenous brothers and sisters.”
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
Indigenous students selected the artist and worked with Blak Douglas to develop the final artwork.
PRODUCTION
Position Promotions are an independent, Aboriginal owned and operated company
ARTWORK – The Spear and the Whale
Developed in 2021 for Newington College Reconciliations week. These symbols were used by Gadigal people and are found around in Sydney sandstone today
WHALE – Gamura, a symbol of the dreaming of Gadigal people and connection to the nearby sea
HANDS – Damara, represent connection to land and each other
SPEAR – Gunang, was used in battle
BOOMERANG – Bumarang, used in hunting and battle by the Gadigal people
ARTIST STATEMENT
GUNANG / GAWURA (The spear & whale)
This jersey pays homage to the Cadigal (Gadigal) warriors who stood strong with their spears until the arrival of a different type of warfare was introduced to their land. Only two hundred - thirty three years ago, the robust physiquesof the local tribesmen would be challenged for the first time in tens of thousands of years by germs and guns.
Prior to the western concept of a ‘house of worship’, the Cadigal practiced ceremony out of doors, mostly upon hill tops and on sandstone platforms. Thankfully many examples of the dedicated efforts in the way of rock carvings still remain. The Cadigal dreaming is GUWARA, the whale and indicated by the many carvings around the harbour today.
Customary to Koori tradition, hand stencils are a ‘signature’ of presence of the generations of young peoples partaking in ceremonies. Most rock caves within the South East carry stencils placed there at least two hundred years and prior.
An ancient ‘QR’ code whereby identifying an individuals entry into that space at that time. We bring these elements together on this strip in remembrance of those that cared for the country that we now live, work & play. May the young warriors donning these jerseys carry the energy & might of the young men who once walked the same tracks.
Blak Douglas, 2021




Redtails U17 team trip to Sydney to verse Newington College – Coach Fred Campbell’s thoughts.

The U17s were excited to go on this trip to Sydney. One of our fellas asked the bus driver " Does the school look like Hogwarts school off the movie Harry Potter" as we drove in. They all were very surprised to see the resemblance as another of the boys replied " it does look like Hogwarts”. It was a funny moment.

As the bus stopped the lads saw all the students kicking the footy on the oval, they made their way down and to my surprise they engaged with the students right away shaking hands and kicking the footy and mingling with each other.

We had a tour of the college where a few of the lads had a swim in the indoor swimming pool.

After that they played basketball before a welcoming reception at which the shirts were revealed that the Newington College students and staff had designed, with Rob’s input as well. It had both Redtails and Newington College community’s insignia symbols incorporated on them.

The college had also organised a special speaker, the ex GWS coach Leon Cameron, he talked with all of our boys. It was informative, inspiring and special.

We had fresh pizzas made up on the spot which the students had funded. 

The college had a few of their indigenous students take us on a tour, all of our lads were very impressed and amazed at just how big the college was.

The next day we had a welcoming to country by a local Aboriginal man and a smoking ceremony of which our boys engaged in and were overwhelmed and surprised by the warm reception and engagement of all students of Newington College. Our very own player Jeremiah stepped forward on his own accord and thanked the Newington College, he spoke in our local Arrente language as well. All students of Newington gathered around our group, which made for an unbelievable sight. 

Afterwards we all gathered in the art room and a few of our lads made up a Aboriginal painting to symbolise our new connection with the college. 

After that we were lucky enough to have a tour of the new Sydney Swans facilities, thanks to Sarah Steele-Park who organised it through her personal contact and teaches some of our lads at CMS. The boys were all very happy to see few of their idols as well as the amazing facilities.

We had a chance to go to Coogee Beach for the boys to cool off.

After that we had a late lunch before it was time to get ready to play footy.

I don’t think our boys weren't expecting a tough game. They honestly thought it was going to be easy because they were playing guys who were from a mainly rugby state. Instead, they were met with a very well structured and well-developed team. It was a very physical game throughout the night. Our lads were very good in parts of the game showing their skills but it wasn't good enough to get the win. Ricky Mentha got Best on Ground receiving a signed ball by Buddy Franklin. 

This was a good lesson for most of our lads that they need to work on their game in the future and keep striving to improve.  

They were all very well-mannered, respectful and well behaved throughout the whole trip. 

Fred Campbell

Redtails U17 team trip to Sydney to verse Newington College – Coach Fred Campbell’s recap of a special moment.

The next day we had a welcoming to country by a local Aboriginal man and a smoking ceremony of which our boys engaged in and were overwhelmed and surprised by the warm reception and engagement of all students of Newington College. Our very own player Jeremiah stepped forward on his own accord and thanked the Newington College, he spoke in our local Arrernte language as well. All students of Newington gathered around our group, which made for an unbelievable sight. One that makes your skin tingle and your hairs stand up. A powerful reminder of the positive nature of friendship and sharing of each others cultures and background.






Redtails U17 team photo - 31.03.2023
Standing: Kaleel Ross, Jack Newman, Nelson Anders, Jeremiah Pepperill, Malachai Waterford, Addyson Lowe, Taylem Stubbs, Tyreece Forbes, Isaiah Miller, Robert Nardoo, Hamish Collins
Kneeling: Kyran Cole, Mitchell Pearce, Declan Abbott, Tyrell Coulthard, Malakai LeRossignol, Tekai Lankin, Mason Tilmouth, Rhys Craig, Jack Farrell, Kavahn Roger, Ricky Mentha, Jacob Ross



It was one tough hit out of a game. Unfortunately, our young men went down to a much larger bodied side in Newington.
Our lads where awesome though with some surprise packet performances.

Newington 78
Redtails 32

What an incredible experience the whole lead up and game has been for all our lads.

We would like to take this opportunity to express our immense Thanks to Newington College and their liaison person Geordie Barham, the College Chaplain and Director of AFL at Newington College. Their extremely warm welcome and all the amazing events that they organised for us were thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by us all.

The whole Redtails group are extremely grateful and thankful to all involved. It has been such an enriching, rewarding and memorable trip.