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SHEEDY CALLS FOR INDIGENOUS ROOKIES
Bomber coach Kevin Sheedy has called on the AFL to consider allowing clubs to add two aboriginal players on top of its normal rookie list allocation. Speaking at the Michael Long Scholarship Launch today, Sheeds suggested the initiative would give aboriginal players from remote regions of Australia the opportunity to play football at the highest level. ""The Michael Long Scholarship is perhaps an opportunity and way to open up the arguement for longer rookies list,"" Sheedy said.
Bomber coach Kevin Sheedy has called on the AFL to consider allowing clubs to add two aboriginal players on top of its normal rookie list allocation.. Speaking at the Michael Long Scholarship Launch today, Sheeds suggested the initiative would give aboriginal players from remote regions of Australia the opportunity to play football at the highest level. ""As the numbers come down on AFL lists it could present a problem for young Aboriginal players who get listed if they need time to develop. That is the major concern for me and the Michael Long Scholarship is perhaps an opportunity and way to open up the arguement for longer rookies list,"" Sheedy said.
""An idea would be to look at allowing every club to put two young aboriginal players on your (rookie) list on top of normal list. I think we should be looking at that in the future and this scholarship is perhaps looking at that on a trial basis. To me it is about developing people and the leaders in the AFL should sit down and say this scholarship has been worthwhile so we should look at gradually doing more. I think it will be fantastic.""
Essendon Football Club in conjunction with ATSIC and Michael Long today officially launched the Michael Long Scholarship Program. Over 40 guests attended the launch at the Essendon Football Club Hall of Fame. Michael Long, Kevin Sheedy, Dean Rioli, Cory McGrath, Mark Harvey and Ronnie Burns were among the guests to celebrate the launch of the inaugural scholarship.