$57 million donation from philanthropist Quentin Birt for sports to engage young people and empower them to become leaders in their community, while also promoting education, well-being, family, and developing role models for others

The donation is believed to be the largest private contribution to a community sports initiative in many years.

It was made by philanthropist Quentin Birt.

The Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks program is a partnership between the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress and the Central Australian Football Club.

It uses sports to encourage the development of healthy individuals and communities.

It uses Australian football to engage young people and empower them to become leaders in their community. It also promotes education, well-being, family, and the development of role models for others.

NT Senator and Shadow Indigenous Australians Minister Jacinta Nampijinpa Price said she made the initial introduction between company founder Quentin Birt and Redtails president Rob Clarke.

“(Mr Birt) came to me to express that they wanted to contribute meaningfully to the lives of those affected within my hometown, my community, and therefore asked my advice on how that might be the best way to go through,” Senator Price said.

“I have seen the work over the many years of the Red Tails program, and it’s wonderful work.

“I know the impact this will have for our community and the young people who have struggled for so long.”

The Central Australian Pinktails after a match. (Image: Facebook/Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Program)

Mr Clarke said he met with Mr Birt and his wife Kylie when they visited Alice Springs.

“We presented to them our 14 years of history, presented to them multiple, multiple outcomes in regard to positive individuals,” he said.

“(We have a) very strong plan that will engage other organizations as well who are trying to do things in the same space.”

Mr. Clarke added that they hoped to use the funds from the donation to build a home base – potentially at Traeger Park – where they would also provide accommodation for traveling sporting teams and schools.

He also said he hoped to expand the Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks program to include other sporting codes.

Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson said that he hoped the announcement would be the start of the good stories about the region.

“We will change people’s lives now in Alice Springs,” he said.

“Whether it is going to get people drafted, but also at a human level … people have now got driver’s licenses, there’s social outcomes, there’s health outcomes.”