But Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin believes the extra funds to support Australian football training in East Kimberley will make real differences for young Aboriginal people.

The Government's contribution will be used along with the Australian Football League's annual $200,000 contribution to fund a regional community development officer, administrator and trainees in Kununurra and Broome to nurture young players.

Ms Macklin made the announcement at Hawthorn Football Club's practice ground with indigenous star Lance Franklin.

She said the money would help more than budding Franklins, as there was evidence of better school attendances and community leadership from those involved in sport.

''We know that there are many thousands of indigenous children and young people playing Australian rules right across Australia,'' she said. ''What we want to do is make sure that those youngsters in the Kimberley get the chance to train, get the chance to really develop as footballers as Lance had the chance to do.

''They can use their sporting talents to become leaders in their own communities and in the broader Australian community. We understand just how important sport is for young people's health ...''

Franklin, one of Hawthorn's six indigenous players, said the investment would go a long way.

Ms Macklin said the East Kimberley region was chosen for additional funds after consulting the AFL and West Australian Football Commission, selecting an area where teams were not engaged with the community.

''What we've got is different AFL teams working hard with different indigenous communities in different parts of Australia.

''Hawthorn [has been] going up to the Tiwi Islands and we know that traditionally Essendon have played a great role in the Tiwi Islands, my team Geelong does a great job in Gove,'' she said.