Northern NSW Football is delighted to announce the launch of its inaugural RTC Group NNSWF Talented Indigenous Scholarships.
The scholarships are an initiative of Northern NSW Football as part of its inaugural RTC Group Indigenous Round across its Premier Competitions this weekend and in conjunction with National Reconciliation Week.
The scholarships will provide assistance to 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recipients with four Talented Player, four Talented Coach and four Talented Referee scholarships available. These scholarships are broken down to one male and one female recipient from the Hunter Region and Regional NSW in each of the three categories.
The RTC Group NNSWF Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Talented Player Scholarship will help recipients represent Northern NSW Football at the 2022 National Youth Championships with contributions towards club registration and identification camp fees as well as costs associated with Talent Support Programs and the National Youth Championships.
The RTC Group NNSWF Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ‘C’ Licence Coaching Scholarship will help recipients complete Football Australia’s ‘C’ Licence advanced coaching accreditation, with coaches to receive ongoing support from NNSWF’s Coach Development Officer and Female Participation and Inclusion Officer. 
While the RTC Group NNSWF Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Talented Referee Scholarship will help recipients attend the 2022 NNSWF Referee Academy, with contributions also made towards registration fees and Talented Match Official Camp attendance. Referees will also receive ongoing support from NNSWF’s Senior Officer – Match Official Administration and Development and NNSWF’s Female Participation and Inclusion Officer.
Northern NSW Football CEO David Eland said the scholarships, along with the inaugural RTC Group Indigenous Round, were the first steps towards connecting with the region’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.
“We want to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders players, coaches and referees across our game and increase opportunities for them to engage in professional development,” Eland said.
“This is a chance to identify and showcase the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, coaches and referees who have the potential to achieve at the highest levels of the game.
“These recipients will be role models for the next generation of Indigenous players, coaches and referees and hopefully inspire others from their community.”
RTC Group founding director and executive chairman Richard Claut said his organisation had a passion for helping the underrepresented achieve their goals.
“An integral part of RTC Group’s business plan has always been and continues to be to reinvest into and partner with the local community,” Claut said.
“RTC have a proud history of supporting local sportspeople, community groups, teams and associations, thus becoming a valued member of the communities in which we work.
“This has led to RTC Group establishing a not for profit Sports Development Centre (The Concept) and a Foundation for youth with full Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status (Foundation #1).
“Our vision is to weave RTC Group and our people into communities through giving back to those who need a helping hand. This partnership with Northern NSW Football is allowing us to do this in a very tangible way.
“We’re excited to be partnering with Northern NSW Football in this space and look forward to upcoming announcements.”
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, coaches and referees registered within the national PlayFootball registration system in 2021 and who intend to register in 2022 are eligible to apply for scholarships.
Applications for the Talented Player, Talented Coach and Talented Referee scholarships open on Saturday 29 May and close on Wednesday 1 September.
Successful applicants will be announced in September.
