The Sydney Swans ‘Kick The Habit’ Campaign continues with school, youth centre, aged care and homeland visits in the West Arnhem Land and the exciting arrival of Michael O’Loughlin just in time for the three-day smoke-free footy festival.

AFL and AFLW players, football and administration staff and ADF arrived in Maningrida on Monday afternoon to a very special ceremony from locals. Days following have been spent connecting with the community, sharing important health messages and preparing the region for the upcoming football carnival.

Michael O’Loughlin, who is visiting Maningrida for the first time, says it’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip for himself and the Swans contingent.

“It’s very special getting to know the kids and all the community here” O'Loughlin said.

“The next couple of days are going to be huge…. Our AFL Men’s and Women’s team do an amazing job promoting a healthy lifestyle and talking about how smoking can affect your health and a healthy life”.

It is expected a number of teams from surrounding communities will travel to Maningrida over the next day for the carnival. Festivities commence with a Youth Clinic and community barbecue on Friday afternoon, followed by a men’s and women’s tournament throughout Saturday and Sunday.

Ahead of the smoke-free football festival, the team have been lucky enough to spend time at Maningrida College, the Aged Care facility, Youth Centre, Mala’la Health Clinic and a number of surrounding homelands.

Highlights include visits to Ji-Balbal and Ndjudda Point outstations where locals have shared their stories and traditions about living on Country. The team have visited sacred sites with rock art, heard dreamtime stories, picked pandanas leaves for weaving and learnt about collecting fish, crab and other bush tucker.

Sport has provided a great way for players and staff to connect with locals. Marking contests, basketball games, footy drills and push-up competitions have brought plenty of laughter.

Reinforcing the mantra of 'strong lungs, strong body, say no to smokes' has also been paramount in the club's experiences with community.

“These communities have really put things into perspective for me. It is incredible to see their resilience and how much they get out of what they have,” Tanya Kennedy said.

“They really make something out of nothing - whether they’re kicking the footy or just mucking around, seeing the smiles on their faces just brings me so much joy.

“I feel proud to be part of this experience, it’s something that I have never experienced before.”

The Sydney Swans have been thankful to work alongside local partners such as Mala’la Health, AMSANT, West Arnhem Council to make this trip possible and providing us a platform to spread our important health messages.

We also thank our partners such as QBE who donated 200 balls to the community for our Kick The Habit festival.

Follow along the football fun over the next few days via Sydney Swans channels.