Macquarie Bank Sports and The Sydney Swans give disadvantaged youth in Los Angeles a taste of Aussie Rules

19 January 2006

One hundred local disadvantaged children from Los Angeles had the opportunity of a lifetime last Saturday 13 January, experiencing Aussie Rules for the first time, being coached by members of the 2005 AFL Premiers, the Sydney Swans. The players at the clinic included Michael O’Loughlin, Jared Crouch and Stuart Maxfield.

The coaching clinic was the first Macquarie Bank Sports event to be held outside of Australia and was made possible thanks to the enthusiasm of the Sydney Swans leading players and their staff as well as through Macquarie’s broader involvement as a presenting sponsor of the G’day LA – Australia W eek festival.

In keeping with Macquarie Bank Sports’ focus of providing sporting opportunities to disadvantaged children, the clinic was provided to a group of local children aged 6 – 12, from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Youth Foundation, the Salvation Army and the Boys and Girls Club of Venice Beach. The children came from some of the lowest socio-economic areas of LA and the charity organisations were able to offer this clinic as part of their broader program that aims to make local communities safer by fostering self esteem and providing activities that give local youth a sense of direction.

“The Aussie Rules clinic was a huge success with wonderful feedback from all organisations involved”, said Guy Reynolds, CEO of Macquarie Bank Sports. “The Swan’s provided the children with their first Aussie Rules experience, which they are likely to remember for years to come.”

Macquarie Banks Sports are thankful to the Sydney Swans for their generosity and enthusiasm in delivering the clinic.

For more information please contact:

Brad McCarroll
Macquarie Bank Sports
Tel: (612) 8232 8433
Email: brad.mccarroll@macquarie.com