First language footy program set to make a mark in APY Lands
By Dan Lander
COMMUNITY The First Language Footy program comprises videos of AFL skill development activities featuring animated instructions and first language explanations of the key concepts. The videos are available on YouTube.UniSA is building on its strong 30-year relationship with Anangu (Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara) (APY) communities through a new program that has developed a series of first language AFL coaching resources.
Undertaken in partnership with Iwiri – a member-based organisation for Anangu who live in Adelaide – and the Adelaide Football Club, the First Language Footy project has created a set of resources for Anangu communities to strengthen the teaching of football skills and gameplay principles, while also delivering good Pitjantjatjara language resources for use in schools.
UniSA Associate Director for Regional Engagement Dr Sam Osborne says the program was initially inspired by the experiences of Iwiri member and SANFL player Dom Barry.
“Dom was frustrated at the kind of skill and gameplay principles being adopted in APY communities, and also with the way first language was being diluted in the process,” Dr Osborne says.
“He asked for UniSA to support some sort of initiative to strengthen first language and gameplay communication for the footy field, and we met with Katie Gloede and other staff at the Adelaide Football Club to ask for their contribution to the development of some resources for coaches and teachers.”
The core of the resource package consists of nine AFL skill development activities using filmed examples, animated instructions and first language explanation of the key concepts, which are available on YouTube to ensure they are easily accessible.
“I mean, you've got to think about who's going to use it,” Dr Osborne says. “I imagine it’s a coach in Fregon who's going to take the fellas out for footy training, and he’s going to be like, ‘Oh, okay, what were those things again – there was one about goalkicking and one about handballing,’ and he’ll get his phone out and try and to have a look at it while standing on the side of the oval.
“So, you know, if it's some complex sort of app that needs a password or whatever, it could be too hard and won't get used.”
In addition to the coaching videos, the new resources include a series of funny first language footy stories with translations provided, along with AFL TV game footage featuring AFC overdubbed with Pitjantjatjara language barracking and The Crows song recorded in Pitjantjatjara.
“The funny stories are one of my favourite parts of the package,” Dr Osborne says. “They provide a light-hearted, entertaining angle, which is a great way to draw the kids in and get them interested – they also make for a great digital learning tool for language classes.
“We have also developed a Pitjantjatjara language STEM Footy module as part of the project for use in schools, which brings another dimension and connection into the program.”
The First Language Footy resources are online now and will be introduced to Anangu communities and other relevant parties over the coming months.
“The Adelaide Crows Foundation and STEM Footy are keen to be involved with Anangu communities and this project contributes to that work,” Dr Osborne says. “UniSA and Iwiri already work with the Education Department on first language programs quite regularly, so we’ll be disseminating this through those existing channels.”
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