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Outback Academy Australia is fundraising for Derby Tigers FC's 2024 season, covering fees, travel, and operations to support player wellbeing.

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The Derby Tigers Football Club was formed during the late 2000&#39;s. With the town having high rates of suicide and unemployment rates, football gave the young men an outlet to be part of a community sport an organisation. The Club entered the DTFC into the Broome based West Kimberley Football League and in its formative years, struggled with sponsorship, governance, and the ability to field a team on most weekends, as with the dry season, most Indigenous peoples went back out to country.  After the early struggles, the DTFC achieved making the Grand Final in 2012, and although they did lose, it laid the foundations for the future of the club. The club returned to the finals in 2017 and lost again, however demonstrated their competitive abilities in the Broome league. Their success led to the creation of a Women’s team to enter in the competition the following year. In their first season in the league in 2017, the DTFC Women’s team lost every single game. The following year however presented a more competitive, determined DTFC Women’s team who were strong in numbers and made the grand final.  The men’s team have appeared in the grand final 3 times since entering the competition and although they have lost all, the club see this as a success. The Derby Tigers have been a strong competitive presence in the Western Football League. Having to travel 220km every weekend to compete has it challenges, with players having to carpool due to expenses of fuel as well as many having difficulties in securing full time employment. Throughout the hardships, the players remain dedicated and committed to showcase their talents and represent their community.  The league has deemed the Derby local Football oval unsafe to play on, resulting in all games being played in Broome and leaving the club with loss of income from the gate and canteen fee&#39;s. This also makes it extremely hard on the local community to travel weekly to support the team at their matches in Broome. The DTFC aim to contest the ruling of the oval being unsafe and do as necessary to better the facilities for home games as the social benefits of engaging the local Derby Community is integral for the success of the club.  Unfortunately, the Women’s team has gone into a short-term hiatus in season 2024, however the committee have declared with new governance in Season 2025, they will return. The Derby Tigers Football Club is made up of 90% Indigenous players, and with the rates of low employment, the high suicide rates, the Derby Tigers is an institution that the community relies on during the Football season. The DTFC brings hope to the town of Derby and aim to be a recognised brand in years to come. The DTFC has demonstrated resilience over the past years and Outback Academy Australia aim to support the club succeed in the feature seasons. The club have a Motto, “Support the Roar” &amp; we hope to make this roar loud and community proud, providing many with the opportunity to showcase their skills and improve their health and wellbeing.  Outback Academy Australia is driving this fundraising with AFL Legend Syd Jackson being the Ambassador. Syd wore the number 5 Carlton Jersey and the donation amounts pay tribute to that in a &#39;5&#39; increment. With it being reported that the rates of Indigenous Professional AFL players are declining, OAA are eager to support local programs such as the DTFC as pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to display their talents to obtain further opportunity for higher leagues.