Our Story
The Tiwi Bombers youth girls team was formed in 2014 to help create community change and address social issues for young women from remote communities. Since our inaugural NTFL season we have won the Under 15's Premiership back to back. The girls are kicking goals on and off the field; improving their school attendance, health and wellbeing and developing their leadership skills.
Watch this ABC Grandstand Story about kick starting our dream!
Read our Inaugural season wrap up at: http://starwin.com.au/time-to-shine/
Our Project
Our Starwin 'TalentEd' program promotes healthy lifestyles and provides a focus on career pathways. We engage community leaders and role models to train with and inspire our players.
In season 2016/17 we are growing this leadership program with Tiwi Bombers Football Club, expanding to two teams so the U18s so our players can continue to be a part of the club and on their leadership journey.
Why It Matters
With the new women's AFL competition set to kick off, we want to see these young women have the opportunity to be drafted and play on the big stage and join their Tiwi relatives and the many top end Indigenous champions that have played before them. Relatives are Cyril Rioli Jnr, Sean Lemmens, Allen Christensen, Anthony Tipungwuti-McDonald & Daniel Rioli are all currently playing AFL.
We would also like to form representative squads to travel interstate to play exhibition games to showcase their talent and to also explore educational opportunities in southern states and to provided opportunities for career pathways for our players.
We are forming partnerships with the Australian Defence Force Mentoring Program and also the VSwans (Swan Districts WAFL club) program to help make this dream come true.
Our Budget
Costs for players to travel in and out of Darwin to play per weekend are around $100 per person (food, accommodation, transport) - this is heavily subsidised thanks to the support of Accor and Sealink. Depending on the fixture - costs can go up to $300 per weekend per person if the team has to stay in Darwin longer. We play 18 rounds + finals each season. We field teams of up to 24 players per game, per team.
Our Team
In season 2014/15 we had 36 young women take the field, from 13 Top End communities and across 5 schools. In season 2015/16 we had 30 young women participate, from 7 schools and 9 Top End communities. More than half of the team travel from remote communities just to play in the competition almost every weekend of the season. The girls are chosen to play based on their behaviour, engagement at school and training attendance.
To facilitate strong leadership in our team, we have role models who engage with our program and over 80% of our volunteers are Indigenous, meaning we offer a unique and culturally competent program.
In season 2016/17 we have grown our program so we can expand to two teams to include U18s so our players can continue to be a part of our club and on their leadership journey.
How You Can Help
Please donate to this great cause and "Invest in the best and be part of our success". You can invest at the different levels as indicated, every contribution helps make a big impact!
About us
My name is Karina Gray and I am the Coordinator of the Youth Girls Leadership program and Coach of the Under 15s Tiwi Bombers Girls. I have been volunteering with Tiwi Bombers FC since their inaugural season in the NTFL. Starwin (my business) is a social enterprise and we provide in-kind (up to 20 hours per week staff time) and financial support for the program as part of our commitment to community.
Our Video
Was filmed at Wurrumiyanga, Bathurst Island during a visit by the V Swans team from WAFL club Swan Distrcts. Please watch to get an insight of where some of our players and leaders live and what football means to the community.
Other Videos
Click here to watch our Season One Premiership Video