Pride of Australia Medal 2015: Sydney Swans champion O’Loughlin is still kicking great goals

SYDNEY Swans hall of famer Michael O’Loughlin has been nominated for a Pride of Australia Award for helping young indigenous kids make it on the field, and off.

Michael O'Loughlin, premiership player with the Sydney Swans has been nominated for a Pride of Australia Award. Pictured at Moore Park with members of the Sydney Swans Academy from left Zac Cameron, 15, Connor Flanagan, 14, Connor Hungerford, 14, Dominic Soffe, 16, Hugh Blanchfield, 15 and Kyle McKellar, 15. Picture: Jonathan Ng

SYDNEY Swans hall of famer Michael O’Loughlin has been nominated for a Pride of Australia Award for helping young indigenous kids make it on the field, and off.

The premiership AFL player and champion goalkicker has still been heavily involved with the game since hanging up his boots in 2009, starting a charity with fellow AFL legend Adam Goodes.

Michael O'Loughlin with members of the Sydney Swans Academy.

“The two Swans champions founded the GO Foundation — Goodes-O’Loughlin Foundation — which exists to provide indigenous children with scholarships to quality schools and to meet expenses for students attending these schools,” nominator Jordan Laing from the Sydney Swans said.

“In 2015, the GO Foundation provides scholarships for 10 young people, with a view to significantly increasing this number year upon year. While he’s well-known for his legendary feats on the football field, it is his contribution off the field that makes him a true champion.”

O’Loughlin was the first indigenous Australian appointed head coach of the AIS-AFL Academy, nurturing and developing some of the brightest stars in the game during his time there.

NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR A PRIDE OF AUSTRALIA MEDAL

In 2013, he returned to where it all began and took up the role as head coach of the Sydney Swans Academy.

 “In charge of developing the game in NSW, he has thrived in the role and has been an inspiration for the 500-plus 12- to 18-year-olds in the Academy, showing them what’s required and how to reach their dream of playing professional AFL,” Mr Laing said. “Off the field Michael is kicking goals as well.”

The Pride of Australia Awards are an annual News Corp program supported by ClubsNSW, designed to recognise ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Nominate someone who deserves recognition at prideofaustralia.co.au until July 19.