Swans and Pilbara Meta Maya Partnership

Regional not-for-profit organisation Pilbara Meta Maya Regional Aboriginal Corporation has partnered with Swan Districts Football Club to provide opportunities to rural communities.

The Port-Hedland based organisation has grown from 24 employees in 2008, to 118 now who work to support people in Western Australia’s most isolated Aboriginal communities.

Pilbara Meta Maya initiated the Swan Districts sponsorship to help encourage sport and community in the Pilbara, Gascoyne and Midwest regions.

Pilbara Meta Maya Chief Executive Rachael Green lived in Port Hedland for over 24 years and recognises the importance of sport in regional communities.

“Sport is incredibly important for mental health,” Ms Green said.

“it gives young people a sense of purpose, a way to burn energy and stay active – and it keeps them off the streets and out of trouble.”

Ms Green said football in particular plays a key role because it’s a game both boys and girls enjoys and can participate in.

“Our partnership with swans is about giving back to community and giving kids something to look forward to,” she said

As part of this partnership Swans Districts staff travel into regional and remote communities to run football clinics. Build relationships, and help develop young talent.

“We want to see kids engaged, focused, and building something for themselves, whether that’s education, employment or just stronger confidence,” Ms Green said.

“If they have a reason to show up and give it a go, we’ve done our job.”

The program also helps sponsor regional children to travel to Perth to play football and experience the city — for many, it’s their first time.

“Some of these kids have never even been to Hedland, let alone Perth,” Ms Green said.“It’s a big thing — exciting, but also overwhelming. That’s why we always make sure a trusted adult comes with them. It’s about keeping them safe, supported and strong.”

Funding is vital to make sure these opportunities are accessible.

Every child should have the same shot, no matter where they’re from,” she said.“The distances out here are huge — hundreds of kilometres between communities and without programs like this, sport just isn’t accessible.”

Ms Green has witnessed a steady decline in regional sport participation over the years, something she’s determined to help reverse.

“Sport in the bush used to be huge — it brought everyone together,” she said.“But we’ve seen a shift, especially with the rise in FIFO work. People aren’t living in community anymore; they’re flying in and out. That means the kids don’t come and without kids, local sport struggles.”

“Mining is important — we all know that — but we can’t lose sight of what keeps towns alive. Sport is

Pilbara Meta Maya supports some of the state’s most isolated Aboriginal communities through a broad range of services, including housing, environmental health, municipal and essential services, and student accommodation.

Looking ahead, Ms Green hopes the Swans partnership continues to grow.

“Ultimately, I’d love to see this lead to school scholarships,” she said.“Imagine a young person from the regions living in Perth, studying, and playing footy with Swans. That’s life-changing.”

Find out more about Pilbara Meta Maya Regional Aboriginal Corporation here: https://www.metamaya.com.au/