Twenty students from years 8-11 at the Narangba Valley High School AFL Academy are set to embark on the trip of a lifetime to the Tiwi Islands.

They will spend six days in the Tiwi area of the Northern Territory on what AFL co-ordinator, school coach and Mt.Gravatt QAFL veteran Brock Turton describes as “a unique cultural experience”.

It is a reciprocal visit for the Narangba boys after the Tiwi Bombers boys came to Brisbane last year.

“We’ve been doing Indigenous culture tours for the last couple of years and this will consolidate our relationship with the Tiwi boys,” explained Turton.

“Our boys are really pumped that they’ll get a chance to see where the Tiwi boys are from and observe first-hand the indigenous culture.”

“Fostering positive relationships with our Indigenous peers provides tremendous social and emotional growth opportunities for both groups of students.

“It also enables the communities to unite and form a unique bond that will continue into the future”.

Such is the educational standing of the trip that Narangba Valley, with the help of former Federal Minister and Viper Ambassador Mal Brough, have secured sponsorship assistance from Rio Tinto Alcan, Caboolture Sports Club and the Melbourne Football Club.

The Narangba Valley Vipers tour party was chosen from an enrolment of 135 on the basis of those who best exemplified the school’s core values of respect, integrity and commitment, plus behaviour and achievement, and leadership potential.

The boys will spend a week boarding with the Indigenous students of Tiwi College, 60kms north east of Darwin, and will play them in a return match after they won the 2009 encounter narrowly.

Turton explains that, despite the isolation of the college, Tiwi Islands are enriched with AFL culture and talent, producing AFL superstars such as Michael Long, Austin Wonaeamirri, Maurice and Cyril Rioli.

The Tiwi visit will continue an indigenous cultural perspectives journey that has included visits to Cherbourg State School, AFL Indigenous Round celebrations and AFL Indigenous cultural workshops.

Vipers’ Director Greg McMahon adds that “using AFL footy as our vehicle, we can combine a common passion to develop and sustain new relationships between young men of totally different backgrounds.

“The friendships and mutual respect gained between our students will be a fantastic by product of what will be an enormously enriching life experience.