(Photo: Marcus Priaulx)
October 28, 2014
by Marcus Priaulx
Footy creates pathways for future leaders, and the Arthur Beetson Foundation says it’s also about saving lives through football.
It was founded four years ago by Arthur Beetson’s sons Brad, Kristian and Mark to honour their father’s rugby league legacy.
Arthur (“Artie”) Beetson was the first Aborigine to captain the nation in any sport, and he’s usually regarded as the greatest post-war forward in Australian rugby league history.
He died of a heart attack while riding his bike on December 1, 2011, at age 66.
“Dad was a big man with a big appetite,” Brad said when the Queensland Murri Team visited Cherbourg State School on October 16.
“He was man of great passion and loved his football, his people and his tucker.”
That’s why every player from the 54 teams who entered the Arthur Beetson Foundation Murri Carnival on September 25-28 had to have a health check.
It’s compulsory for all players at the carnival.
And spectators at Redcliffe’s Dolphin Oval got in for free if they had one as well.
In total 1500 hour-long health checks were done over the four days and potentially fatal conditions were detected in people nobody would have suspected of having them.
Junior players also had to have a 90 per cent school attendance rate to play.
“We rely on the team managers and schools to provide us with that information,” Brad said.
“We’re trying to get the Education Department to come on board so we know we’re doing what we’re saying we’re doing, because education is very important in today’s society.
“As Indigenous people we lack doctors and lawyers.
“As Indigenous people, we relate to our own kind so we’re trying to create pathways to leadership through football.
“We’re trying to close the gap through education.”
This is why the foundation has worked to find children spots in GPS colleges and other top schools through sporting scholarships.
“I always say the brain is the most important muscle in your body,” Brad said.
He believes education is important for everybody’s future and makes for stronger communities.
“You need to know where you come from and learn about your culture,” Brad said.
“You need to respect the past but use education to take you forward. It’s not just about football. Being a success is about being a good father, a role model.
“It’s not about making it in the NRL. You could be a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher … anything you want to be.”
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