CLONTARF academies will receive $10 million in funding from the federal government, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced on Tuesday.

The funding will be distributed over four years with the aim to support six of the 23 existing academies and the creation of another nine in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and other states.

Clontarf, established in 2000 by inaugural Fremantle coach Gerard Neesham, uses football as a means to promote education and employment to indigenous teenage males.

Graduates of the academy include Hawthorn premiership player Mark Williams, Essendon's Patrick Ryder and Fremantle's Michael Johnson, while a number of past players are part of Clontarf's staff.

"The additional funding represents the first stage of a long-term commitment by the government to helping the Clontarf Foundation to expand its network of academies throughout Australia," Mr Rudd said.

The money will help expand Clontarf's reach from around 1400 to 2100 young people, he added.

Clontarf Foundation chairman Ross Kelly said he was delighted with the announcement.