SA: Touch football champ named indigenous ambassador

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2006
SA: Touch football champ named indigenous ambassador

ADELAIDE, Aug 21 AAP - Australian women's touch football representative Bo de la Cruz
has been named as an Australian indigenous ambassador.

Her appointment was confirmed by Human Services Minister Joe Hockey today as he kicked
off a week-long visit to South Australia and Western Australia.

"As a successful young woman, she's a wonderful role model for indigenous teenagers,"

Mr Hockey said.

"Bo will work alongside rugby league legend Arthur Beetson and Australia's fastest
sprint hurdler and Olympian Kyle Vander-Kuyp to spread the word about government services
available in indigenous communities.

"The ambassadors play a very important role working with indigenous communities to
improve their understanding and access to health and social services.

"They then provide feedback to the agencies and myself about how this can be strengthened."

De la Cruz has played touch football since she was 12 and is a regular member of the
Australian women's open team.

She said she was honoured to join the ambassadors program.

"My sport has given me the opportunity to work with indigenous kids, which has also
taught me a lot about myself and my culture," she said.

"As an ambassador, I hope to be able to inspire others to strive to be the best they can be."

AAP tjd/ks/sd

KEYWORD: AMBASSADOR

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