Swans Pilbara Indigenous Football Program

Swan Districts has partnered with the WA Football Commission and Rio Tinto to deliver the Swans Pilbara Indigenous Football Program over the next two years.

The objective of the program is to promote, develop and grow all aspects of Australian Rules Football with a focus on Indigenous participation by creating great relationships with stakeholders within the football community and schools, focusing on growing participation at a grass roots level, in particular through Indigenous programs, schools and Auskick programs.

Swans have employed Lawrence Tittums as the club’s Indigenous Social Impact Officer – Pilbara to help deliver the new program. Lawrence is a proud Noongar/ Yamatji man who has called the Pilbara home for most of his life, with strong family ties to the Pilbara and Gascoyne regions. “The Pilbara was the country I always seem to be drawn back to, it feels like home ” says Lawrence, who was identified by Swan Districts Football Club as a potential football talent a few years ago. Tittums came to the club to pursue the opportunity, but his life path had different plans, seeing him being drawn back to the Pilbara.

Through sports Lawrence discovered his passion for working with the community and kids. Being able to give back to the community which has supported him through his own journey. Lawrence is enthusiastic about making a difference, providing opportunities for others to succeed on their own path.

Lawrence graduated from the Swans Elevate mentoring program and now crosses the line to be a mentor himself, working across the Pilbara engaging young people in football and encouraging education opportunities. His presence in the programs has been welcomed and gives Lawrence opportunity to develop his own skills as a leader.

“This is a testament to Jimmy Westbrook, our Roebourne Social Impact Manager, and our partnership with NIAA and the Roebourne District High School”, says Head of Social Impact Jason Burton. “It highlights the outcomes of our Roebourne school based social impact programs preparing youth for life after school. It also shows other kids at the school what’s possible”.

The Swans Pilbara Indigenous Football Program is a whole of club program and will be supported by other Swan Districts regional and metropolitan staff, volunteers and WAFL and WAFLW players.

For further information on the Swans Pilbara Indigenous Football Program, please contact Jason Burton on jburton@swandistrictsfc.com and 0459 440 010.