A FEW MONTHS ago the Club’s apparel sponsor - New Balance’s Pacific Area Manager - Ricky Knight, approached the Club about contributing to our indigenous community programs. New Balance generously offered to give the Club 200 guernseys. This is not an insignificant contribution as the retail value of the guernseys is in excess of $20,000.

In discussions with New Balance, we decided we would give the guernseys away at our forthcoming trip to Katherine, which was aimed at promoting the “clean faces strong eyes” campaign for trachoma. Trachoma affects one’s eyesight and if left untreated can ultimately cause blindness. The simple act of getting kids to regularly clean their faces can have a dramatic effect. Amazingly, we can realistically aim to eliminate this disease within five years. Already, indications are that in some indigenous communities, the incidence of trachoma has been significantly reduced through this campaign.

The Club’s relationship with trachoma began a couple of years ago when Professor Hugh Taylor, Chair of Indigenous Eye Health University of Melbourne, and himself a mad Demons supporter, approached the Club about Liam Jurrah and Aaron Davey featuring in a trachoma poster. Professor Taylor knew that getting Aaron and Liam’s support would give the campaign its best chance of changing the behaviour of indigenous kids.

Recognizing the importance of eliminating this disease, Liam and Aaron enthusiastically agreed and now support the charity with a host of media activities as well being, literally, the face of trachoma.

Last Wednesday a group of players and staff boarded two light planes and headed 300 kilometres south of Darwin to conduct a footy clinic with approx 200 indigenous kids. On board were Chris Connolly, Liam Jurrah, big Maxy Gawn, Colin Garland and our Vice Captain Brent Moloney. Cameron Schwab and Debbie Lee, the Club’s Community Manager, led the way for the admin staff (unfortunately, Aaron Davey was required to stay in Melbourne to continue the rehabilitation on his knee).

At Katherine we were met by Professor Hugh Taylor, who then escorted us to a ground adjacent to where the locals stage the Katherine Show. Professor Taylor’s people, with the help of the local Auskick centre, had marked the ground, put out the cones and goal posts, set up the mandatory sausage sizzle, and provided plenty of water for all of us to keep hydrated.

On arrival we were greeted with the sight of 200 enthusiastic indigenous kids and their families. We handed out the guernseys, and in 30 degree heat the players proceeded to put on a clinic. Kids and footballs went everywhere!! The pictures below tell the story.

It never ceases to amaze how much of an impact we can have as a football club whenever we conduct any sort of community activity, but these visits have become very special. Hopefully it will inspire another child to become the next Liam Jurrah or Aaron Davey, and maybe they will play for the mighty Demons. Regardless, it is incredibly satisfying that in the process our players and our club are playing some small part in eliminating trachoma. And, isn’t it fantastic that sponsors like New Balance want to be part of our journey in a very tangible and powerful way.