Chris Johnson builds young leaders through Cape York football tournament
Chris Johnson runs an annual football tournament giving 120 youth from Far North Queensland leadership and culture training.
For nearly two decades, Johnson has travelled to Bamaga. Bamaga is near Australia's northernmost tip.
Johnson runs the Chris Johnson and Angie Nadredre Cup there. About 120 young people join from Cape York, Cairns, and the Torres Strait Islands.
Johnson says football is a way to teach leadership, culture, respect, and responsibility. The program helps young people become community leaders.
They return home to strengthen their own communities. This year the tournament added the AFL's First Nations Ahead of the Game program.
It includes Indigenous ways of knowing, being and learning. Young people sat around the campfire and shared their experiences.
AFL facilitator Nioka Tyson led the discussion. Johnson shared open and honest thoughts too.
Johnson said showing his own struggles was key. It helped young people develop tools for good mental health.
These tools help when life gets tough.
- nearly 2 decades
- Tournament runs for
- 120
- Young people participate annually
- 40km
- Bamaga distance from tip
- 10-12 years
- Healey mentoring tenure
Why it mattersCommunity-led sport programs connect young people to culture, leadership, and positive role models. These programs create lasting wellbeing. They strengthen regions outside major cities.
AustraliaIndigenous and remote Australian young people gain mentorship, mental health support, and pathways to community leadership through an established program run by an AFL legend.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 7 d ago
