The Aboriginal Power Cup, which is coordinated and delivered by Port Adelaide’s community arm Power Community Ltd, first commenced in 2008 and since that time has proved a significant success growing from 133 students at six schools to 343 students from 31 schools in 2013.
The seventh Aboriginal Power Cup promises to reach more schools and engage more students in 2014 with a focus on leadership and reconciliation under the theme One Mob Working Together.
The program is an early intervention strategy that uses football as a tool to engage young Aboriginal secondary school students in their education and provide pathways to workforce participation.
It combines a SACE educational unit with football to encourage South Australian Aboriginal students in years 10-12 to complete their secondary education and move into further education, training and employment.
Only students who successfully complete their classwork are invited to take part in the football carnival at Alberton, with the participants forming nine-a-side teams. The event also includes a career and lifestyle expo, cultural activities and personal development workshops.
Power Community Ltd general manager Darren Adamson said the growth of the Aboriginal Power Cup could not have happened without the support from two major partners.
“The Aboriginal Power Cup has come a long way since its inception in 2008 with now over 300 students and 30 schools across South Australia involved in the program,” Mr Adamson said.
“This growth could not be achieved without the support of both the Attorney-General’s Department and SANTOS.
“The Attorney-General’s Department have supported the Aboriginal Power Cup since its inception in 2008 and recently agreed to extend the partnership for another three years which we are very grateful for.
“Similarly, SANTOS has been another great supporter of the Aboriginal Power Cup. SANTOS joined the program in 2010 and will continue as major partner until 2015 which we are delighted about.
“Beyond their wonderful financial support which helps underpin the program, SANTOS also provide considerable in-kind support with staff donating many hours to the program across the year,” Mr Adamson said.
In 2014 the Aboriginal Power Cup program will culminate with a two-day carnival at Alberton Oval on May 22 and 23 with a boys’ and girls’ grand final to be played at the redeveloped Adelaide Oval on Saturday 24 May as a curtain-raiser to the Port Adelaide v Hawthorn clash.
The Aboriginal Power Cup finalists are chosen on the basis of the participants’ combined school and football carnival results, with the finalists being announced only one hour prior to the final.
“We know we will see some wonderful football at the three-day carnival but what pleases me most is that all students will leave with a greater appreciation of who they are and what they would like to achieve in the future,” Mr Adamson said.
