POWER Community Limited's Aboriginal AFL Academy program has signed a three-year partnership with prominent tertiary education provider the University of Adelaide. 

The main goal of Port Adelaide’s Aboriginal AFL Academy - to provide Indigenous youth with a pathway to tertiary education – is now even smoother after announcing a three-year partnership with the University. 

The University’s Dean of Indigenous Research and Education Strategy, Professor Shane Hearn, says the partnership is another tool to help close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. 

“We will be supporting the next generation of young Indigenous leaders within the Aboriginal AFL Academy to consider a university education,” Professor Hearn said. 

“We were interested in a model that was about future-proofing, building the assets of young people and making it relevant throughout their life. 

“Young Aboriginal people have the same aspirations as non-Aboriginal people when it comes to career and achievement, but their challenges can be quite different and sometimes harder. They often don’t know what options are available to them. 

“We will show them how they can access university, what the pathways are and the support they can expect.” 

Port Adelaide’s Director of Aboriginal Programs Paul Vandenbergh was thrilled the academy was able to attract such a high-profile university partnership. 

“We are really fortunate to have the Department of Education come on board (as a sponsor) to support our vision,” Vandenbergh said. 

“We firmly believe in partnerships, and that’s why we are excited about the partnership with the University of Adelaide. 

“If we can get every Indigenous student who wants to study into tertiary education, then there is no gap.” 

The University’s participation in the partnership will operate through its Wirltu Yarlu Aboriginal Education Unit.

Wirltu Yarlu is responsible for recruiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to foundation and degree programs, administers special entry access schemes and provides support services to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island students at the University. 

The Aboriginal AFL Academy is a program for talented Indigenous athletes in years 11 and 12.

Although football is a large part of the Academy, its principal focus is the students completing their high school education while opening the door to further study.

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