A COUPLE of sporting stars were at Flagstone State Community College to inspire Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls to kick academic goals for their future.
Former Brisbane Bronco legend Justin Hodges and Queensland Firebird netballer Beryl Friday got the ball rolling for the second term of the Beyond the Broncos Girls Academy.
Seventeen girls are enrolled in this year's academy, which aims to inspire and help educational opportunities for indigenous girls.
Hodges and Friday got the ball rolling for the second term of the academy.
Flagstone joined the program in term 4, 2020, and has already seen an increase in student attendance.
"It's been rewarding to see that in a few months, these young women are reaping the benefits of the Broncos Girls Academy and placing importance on their education," Hodges said.
"Through the program, many of these girls are building their confidence and a sense of pride in their culture.
"I wouldn't have made it to where I am today without setting goals for myself and having the drive and determination to achieve those goals.
"The Broncos Girls Academy is an exceptional program for our young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, providing them with the skills and leadership to forge a successful path for their future."
Friday, an ANZ Championship winner, said she was thrilled to see the importance students at Flagstone placed on their education by attending the program.
"Education is one of the most important things women can have. It sets our girls up to make informed decisions, which can lead to changes that can benefit them now and also our future generations," Friday, a proud Nyungkul woman of the Kuku-Yalanji Nation, said.
"In a few short months we have seen the impact the Broncos program is having on our girls at Flagstone State Community College. There has been an increase in school attendance and each day they are coming to school passionate about their futures.
"Through the Broncos Girls Academy, we have a unique opportunity to make Australia better for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and give them the tools to pave a successful path for their futures."
Beryl has been instrumental in ensuring Indigenous women have a voice in Australian sport and in the community, and helped to establish Netball Queensland's Indigenous Advisory Committee.
More than 1700 girls are enrolled in the program across Queensland and northern NSW this year.
It has supported more than 4000 students since it was established in 2016.
Read more local news here
