The Indigenous Marathon Project Runs Again in 2020 With The Help of AFL SportsReady
The Indigenous Marathon Project (IMP) is back again for 2020 but this time with a virtual twist and AFL SportsReady will once again be right there to support the team by delivering the education.
Now in its 11th year, the IMP is the flagship program of the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF), headed by Rob de Castella and has seen over 96 graduates from all across Australia come through the program. The aim of IMP is to train a group of 12 Indigenous Australians for the New York City Marathon with just six months of training. Education is a key part of the program with AFL SportsReady delivering a Certificate IV in Business to the participants. But IMP is more than just running and a qualification, the experience aims to inspire Indigenous communities around the nation to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
“Each year, we get more and more applicants, and we see our footprint grow across the country,” said IMF Founder, Rob De Castella.
“It’s a life-changing experience, not just for the selected few who get to participate, but for their families, friends and communities,” he added.
Due to the current situation, this year’s IMP will be delivered in a different way, with all the training and education delivered online. AFL SportsReady’s Athlete and Sports Education Department Educator, Brad Jenkinson, who delivered the Certificate IV last year, met with Rob and the IMF team to help design the program virtually.
“We have delivered the Education for the IMP for the last 5 years and each year has been just as inspiring and rewarding for us than the last.
The program is important to so many Indigenous young people and to the wider community, so we knew we had to think outside the box, adapt and innovate so we can continue to deliver this amazing program that means so much to so many,” said Brad.
The new virtual program attracted over 200 participants with 16 young Indigenous men and women being selected. The overwhelming number of applicants meant the program increased from 12, proving that despite the new format the impact of IMP is as strong as ever.
“It’s going to be a new but awesome experience and I can’t wait to see what this year brings for the new IMP participants.”
The IMP program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health who have been very supportive of the innovative program delivery for 2020.
Want to get in on the inspiration?
The IMP have launched a virtual running and walking event in celebration of NAIDOC Week 2020, raising vital funds for the Indigenous Marathon Foundation.
Get involved here: www.runsweatinspire.org
DATE: 28th May 2020
AUTHOR: Marissa Pagliarello
IMAGE: IMP squad 2019
