Clontarf Academy

The Clontarf Foundation (operates as Clontarf Academy) has over 160 academies around Australia that supports, mentors, and equips young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men between Year 7 and 12 to participate meaningfully in society. The Clontarf Academy is a life skill, mentoring and development program for these young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.

The Clontarf Academy, using supportive relationships, a welcoming environment and a diverse range of activities, help our young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young men in the programme develop improved self-esteem and confidence which assists them to participate in education, employment and society in a positive way.

Using the existing passion that these young men have for sport allows Clontarf to initially attract them to school and then keep them coming. It is, however, not a sporting programme – it’s about developing the values, skills and abilities that will assist the boys to transition into meaningful employment and achieve better life outcomes. Clontarf helps young men to attend school, finish Year 12 and enter employment.

The Clontarf program involves regular weekly activities and periodic incentive excursions such as football training, group breakfasts and lunches, camps, trips, employment visits and more. The program revolves around having a vibrant Academy room where the boys feel comfortable, providing a sense of ownership to a safe, fun and positive space at school. 

Once a Clontarf boy reaches Year 10, there is an increasing focus on employment. Every term, the senior boys take part in a workplace visit. This provides the boys with practical exposure to a workplace, reinforces the importance of work, broadens their understanding of employment prospects in the area, and builds their capacity to transition from school to work. The boys are then supported to further their education and employment pathways through their employment team for however long they need support.