NEWS
Great Scot | Issue 173 | 2025
The Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Program( RPRT) is a program dedicated to fostering leadership and community engagement among young people through sport in Central Australia. By connecting with youth on the field and with the activities they love, the program emphasises the importance of education, wellbeing, and family.
Earlier this year 200 pairs of boots donated by Scotch College were received by RPRT and distributed to remote communities along the Plenty Highway, including Atitjere, Bonya, Engawala, Irrelirre, and Mt. Eaglebeak. Howard Veatupu, Community Development Manager at Children’ s Ground, a connection of the Redtails program, spoke to Scotch about just how much the donation meant to these communities.
“ The joy and happiness you have given our children and communities are the greatest thing we could have asked for,” Howard said.“ With the donations, we were able to run a nine-a-side tournament where 11 teams competed. Every player was able to play in football boots, which is a lifetime dream for all our kids and community members. All boots were handed out, and now everyone has a pair to play in.”
For many young people in these communities, a simple pair of football boots represents inclusion, opportunity, and a chance to participate in a good old game of football. The drive, which collected hundreds of pairs of boots, allowed these young athletes to take part in an organised tournament where for the first time every child had the right gear to play.
‘ It was great to be involved in supporting communities beyond Scotch … obviously not everyone has the opportunity to go to Scotch so any way us boys can give back to the community is really special and important,’ said Tom( Year 12) and Mingara( Year 12), two of the boys who played a key part in launching the drive back in 2024.
“
One thing I always say is that supporting these initiatives isn’ t about giving handouts— it’ s about offering a hand up.
”
Dion Whitfield from the school’ s First Nations Support
Program and past School Captain also had a number of positive things to say about the drive.
One thing I always say is that supporting these initiatives isn’ t about giving handouts— it’ s about offering a hand up. It’ s not about just handing people things or giving out money. It’ s about helping give people an equal chance, an equal start”.
The gratitude received from the Plenty Highway communities has been a valuable reminder to Scotch boys that we are in positions to give, and the importance of doing so in thoughtful, meaningful ways.
“ This is just the start of our relationship. We’ re looking at other ways that we can support the Redtails program and we are currently in discussions about how else we can best contribute” says Dion.
We look forward to watching this partnership progress and seeing many more young athletes get the chance to step onto the field, fully equipped and ready to chase their dreams.
21