Supporting Indigenous youth

The VACSAL Junior Football Carnival was held across three ovals at the CT Barling Reserve in Reservoir over two days in September. The round-robin competition drew teams from across the state in various 17-and-under age groups made up of both male and female players.

A.G. Coombs was proud to sponsor three different club teams: the Mallee Tigers under 15s, Yakupna under 17s and the Cummeragunja Swans under 15s. The sponsorship assisted these clubs to participate in the event by covering transportation, accommodation, meals and miscellaneous costs.

For Gavin Mitchell, A.G. Coombs Service Operations Manager, the event was especially meaningful as it gave him the opportunity to connect with the wider Victorian Indigenous community and interact with Aboriginal youth. He was joined at the carnival by A.G. Coombs Cultural Ambassador and AFL legend, Shane Edwards who was excited to meet the next generation of indigenous footballers.

Under sunny skies, Gavin and Shane watched on as the teams showed off their skills, teamwork and connection.

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Creating pathways for better career choices

“Being able to contribute to this event and show our support in person combines two of A.G. Coombs’ most important initiatives – our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan and our Pathway Program, which offers placement and work experience opportunities, structured apprenticeships and entry role traineeships,” Gavin commented.

“Having started as an apprentice with A.G. Coombs myself 18 years ago, I’m passionate about working with Indigenous youth to give them the same opportunities. Our Pathway Program is providing several young First Nations people an inviting place to start an apprenticeship in the building services industry. We have been working closely with them, their families and the community to ensure we tailor their programs and optimise their personal experience,” he added.

Caring for communities

A.G. Coombs is looking forward to continuing its relationship with VASCAL to support future events and youth-oriented initiatives as part of its ongoing community outreach program.

For more information about the way A.G. Coombs cares about people – its team members, customers, suppliers and those in our local communities – and how that care is central to A.G. Coombs’ culture, please explore our website.