Ninth Aboriginal Power Cup a huge success

MAWSON Lakes and Christies Beach have taken out the ninth Aboriginal Power Cup with convincing wins at Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon.

Both the girls and boys grand finals were played as the curtain raiser games to the Round 9 AFL clash between Port Adelaide and West Coast.

Collective team points from academic achievement, school attendance and football performance at the carnival at Alberton on Thursday and Friday determined the top four teams from across the state to play off in the grand final.

Mawson Lakes claimed the champions trophy for the boys with a 16-point win over Murray Bridge, while the girls’ Christies Beach side also overcame Murray Bridge by 39.

Aboriginal Programs Manager Paul Vandenbergh told portadelaidefc.com.au the 2016 Aboriginal Power Cup was another resounding success.

“As the longest-running dedicated football carnival for indigenous students in the AFL industry, the Aboriginal Power Cup has reached over 400 students and 48 schools for the first time,” Vandenbergh said.

“We’re so proud of the growth of this program and how engaged the schools and students have been.”

In order to compete in the Aboriginal Power Cup football carnival, each student had to maintain at least 80 per cent school attendance and a good academic record across all curriculum areas.

The completion of the program sees them gain a SACE Stage One or Two unit.

“It is an incredible testament to the hard work of the students,” Vandenbergh said.

“The Aboriginal Power Cup might be run by a football club, but football is only a part…these young people should be really proud of the wider commitment they’ve shown to developing their own futures.

“We hope we’ve provided an experience they can take with them into their future endeavours.”

You can read more about the Aboriginal Power Cup at their website: www.aboriginalpowercup.com.au

WINNERS

2016 ABORIGINAL POWER CUP CHAMPIONS