Gilbert McAdam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gilbert McAdam |
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McAdam in July 2019
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| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth | 30 March 1967 | ||
| Place of birth | Alice Springs, Northern Territory | ||
| Original team | Southern Districts | ||
Gilbert McAdam was born on March 30, 1967, in Alice Springs. He is an Indigenous Australian former Australian rules football player. Gilbert is one of three McAdam brothers who played in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Contents
Playing Australian Rules Football
Early Days in Football
Gilbert McAdam grew up in Alice Springs. His father was the president of the South Alice Football Club. Gilbert's heritage is Arrernte through his mother and Gija through his father. His older brother, Greg McAdam, also played for the St Kilda Football Club.
When Gilbert was just 11 years old, he moved to Darwin. There he played in the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) for the Southern Districts Football Club. In 1979, when he was 12, Gilbert was chosen to be the captain of the Northern Territory schoolboys team. He led his team to victory, making them the first Northern Territory team to win a national title.
In 1986, McAdam played three games for Claremont in the West Australian Football League (WAFL). After that, he returned to Darwin. Later, he moved to play in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) with Central District Football Club. In 1989, he won the Magarey Medal, which is a very important award. Gilbert McAdam was the first Indigenous player to ever win this award.
Playing in the AFL
Gilbert McAdam was chosen by the St Kilda Football Club in the 1989 AFL Draft. He played 53 games for the Saints over three years. He kicked five goals in a famous 1993 game against Collingwood. In April 2023, the Collingwood Football Club formally apologized to Gilbert and another player, Nicky Winmar, for something that happened during that game.
After his time with St Kilda, McAdam moved to the Brisbane Bears. He played 58 games for them between 1994 and 1996. He kicked 41 goals during this time. In 1998, he returned to the Central District Football Club for one more season in the SANFL. Gilbert McAdam stopped playing professional football in 1999.
Coaching Football Teams
After retiring as a player, Gilbert McAdam went back to Alice Springs. He coached the South Alice team to win a championship. In 2006, he moved back to Darwin to coach the Darwin Football Club.
Life After Football
In 2007, Gilbert McAdam started working for the Academy of Sport, Health and Education in Shepparton, Victoria. This academy helps Indigenous people get an education and training. They use sports as a way to connect with people in a way that feels right for their culture. Gilbert's job there is to help with sports and personal development.
He also co-hosts a TV show called The Marngrook Footy Show with Grant Hansen. This show is currently shown on NITV on Thursday nights. Gilbert also hosts another TV program on NITV called "Kickin' Back with Gilbert McAdam."
