Grounded Brisbane Lions high flyer Daniel Bradshaw and the two AFL captains from
The Royal Australian Navy, as part of its sponsorship of the AFL Queensland Independent Schools Cup competition, has established a scholarship berth on the Young Endeavour to enable one youngster in the competition to experience the adventure of a lifetime.
The winner of the scholarship berth will be part of a youth crew that sails the tall ship Young Endeavour on an 11-day voyage in 2008 during its 20th anniversary year.
More than 50 schools, 120 teams and 3,000 students across south-east
Each school will nominate one player from their team – the player who most espouses courage, integrity, loyalty, honour and honesty – for a selection panel to choose the eventual scholarship winner.
Churchie AFL captain Ben Forbes (from Wishart) and vice-captain Alex McLeod (from Sherwood) received an appetiser with a half-day sail on Thursday.
Bradshaw, who underwent a knee reconstruction at the start of this year after damaging his knee in a pre-season match, strongly advocated the scholarship. He said he wished he had the opportunity to play for something similar when he was still at school.
The scholarship announcement was made by Senior Naval Officer for
The sailing ship had just arrived from Bundaberg carrying 24 young male and female trainees and a core ship's company of nine RAN personnel.
“This is a great opportunity for young sports people in Queensland created in partnership with the Royal Australian Navy,” said Young Endeavour Scheme Executive Director Stephen Moss.
“It will enable a young player to take on the adventure of a lifetime while developing their leadership, teamwork and communication skills and a sense of community responsibility.”
Each of the 120 teams participating in the Navy Independent Schools Cup competitions will receive a Navy branded football and the ‘player of the match’ in each of the preliminary rounds of the competition will receive a RAN showbag. Special RAN medallions will be presented to grand final winners.
A Navy Community Engagement Coordinator, LEUT Don Hogarth RANR has been appointed to link the service with the community.
This link was demonstrated when family members from several groups including SIDS and KIDS joined Commander Galloway, his ship's company and the footballers in a three hour sail across Moreton Bay. The scholarship will be offered for the next three years.
