AARON Davey wishes the Flying Boomerangs youth program had been around when he was a teenager because he is certain it would have prevented many talented indigenous players from being lost to the game.

 

Davey, who retired this year after 178 games with Melbourne, will help mentor the Flying Boomerangs – a squad of promising 14 and 15-year-old indigenous boys – on a 10-day tour of New Zealand.

 

The program aims to improve personal development and leadership, and Davey could scarcely be more enthusiastic about its merits.

 

"I was pretty driven on what I wanted in life – I wanted to play AFL footy. For me it was probably a little bit easier than (for) some guys who don't really know about what they want to do," Davey told AFL.com.au during a rain-drenched training session at Carlton's Princes Park on Wednesday.

 

"Having programs like this is amazing. If we had this back then, I'm sure you would have seen a lot more Northern Territory and indigenous guys in the system."

 

The 30-year-old, who will assist coach Eugene Warrior on the tour, which will include two games against the New Zealand Hawks, said the Flying Boomerangs initiative could make a significant difference for youngsters at a critical juncture in their lives.

 

"Some of these guys are going to find some of the toughest challenges that they may face as teenagers," he said. "It's the age group where (there is) a bit of greyness there where guys are pursuing an AFL career or just veering off and doing other stuff like normal teenagers do.

 

"Hopefully (in) two weeks' time these guys walk away a lot mentally stronger (with) a greater understanding of leadership … and start realising they're the next crop of guys that are going to be role models for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities."

 

The Flying Boomerangs squad of 24 was selected from the 2013 AFL KickStart Under-15 Championships.

 

It includes Davey's nephew Kym LeBois, a highly-skilled left-footer like his uncles Aaron and Alwyn (who was delisted by Essendon), both of whom he worships. Not surprisingly, the youngster barracks for both the Demons and the Bombers.

 

"It's a little bit weird teaching my nephew but there's massive wraps on him … Hopefully he doesn't embarrass myself and Alwyn and carves out a great AFL career," Davey said.

 

LeBois, the son of Davey's sister Kylie, doesn't think he will be a better player than his uncles, but he hopes to be.

 

LeBois hails from the small, remote South Australian town of Ceduna, where he says "there's not many people to play against". He is excited by the prospect of playing against some "bloody big fellas" on the Kiwi side.

 

The main thing LeBois has learned from the program is to get out of his comfort zone.

 

"I'm a shy guy so it's good for me to get out there and talk. That way, when I'm older I won't have to worry about it that much," he said.

 

Davey was a quietly spoken young man himself before gradually opening up to become a leader at the Demons.

 

The 2009 best and fairest winner has adapted well to life after football, probably because his life still revolves around the game.

 

Has taken up a full-time position with AFL SportsReady helping indigenous players find employment.

 

Davey has also signed on with Richmond's new stand-alone VFL team in a dual playing and mentoring role. 

 

He says it feels "a little bit weird" and like he is "letting the (Melbourne) boys down", but he took on the role because he harbours coaching aspirations.

 

There are very few indigenous coaches in the AFL system and Davey hopes to provide inspiration for others.

 

"Michael O'Loughlin and Chrissy Johnson and Michael McLean have done some coaching … so over time hopefully guys will learn and be a lot more confident and be proud leaders," he said. "That's what we're teaching (the Flying Boomerangs), so hopefully some of these guys follow the path of myself and these other guys and get a bit of inspiration and become successful in life."

Dec 5 – Depart for Auckland, Maori welcome at the airport

Dec 6 – Oteha Valley Primary School visit (AFL KiwiKick session)

Dec 7 – Cultural experience at Mitai Maori Village in Rotorua

Dec 8 – Rafting in Rotorua

Dec 9 – Tongariro Crossing hike

Dec 10 – Visit Westpac Stadium

Dec 11 – Combined training session with NZ Hawks

Dec 12 – Game One, NZ Hawks v Flying Boomerangs at Hutt Park

Dec 14 - Game Two, NZ Hawks v Flying Boomerangs at Hutt Park

Dec 15 – Return to Melbourne

 

Shai Bolton (Meadow Springs, WA), Kobe Broome (Holland Park West, QLD), Lenny Christie (Kedron, QLD), Antionne Forrest-Yarran (Hamilton Hill, WA), Denver Garlett (Adelaide, SA), John Garlett (Parmelia, WA), Logan Gray (Banks, ACT), Jamie Hampton (Alice Springs, NT), Callum Harrison (Launceston, TAS), Dion Johnstone (Dennington, VIC), Jordan Jeffery (Palmerston, NT), Kym LeBois (Ceduna, SA), Keiran Martin (Alice Springs, NT), Liam Nelson (Surf Beach, NSW), Tommy Nickels (Northam, WA), Sam Powell-Pepper (St James, WA), John Pupangamirri (Mullumbimby, QLD), Jy Simpkin (Mooroopina, VIC), Kyle Thomas (Reservoir, VIC), Calvin Thorne (Rockingham, WA), Samual Walsh-Bannam (Milltown, VIC), Keenan Waterbury (Freds Pass, NT), Mathew Wilkes (Armadale, WA), Anthony Young (Newborough, VIC)

Eugene Warrior - Head Coach