PORT ADELAIDE CEO Keith Thomas has lauded the efforts of the club’s Aboriginal team for their work in providing greater opportunities for young Indigenous students.
The Santos Aboriginal Power Cup is the club’s flagship Aboriginal program, and is being held at Karen Rolton Oval on Thursday and Friday this week.
Thomas says it is important that the club continues to provide programs like this to decrease the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
“The original idea for the Power Cup was to help young Aboriginal students in school, and help them complete high school,” Thomas said a press conference held at Karen Rolton Oval on Thursday afternoon.
“It was inspired by a report that came out in 2008, which spoke about the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
“The harsh reality is that gap isn’t decreasing, so the need for programs like this cup is as important today as it ever has been.”
The Port Adelaide CEO said the continued progression and increasing success rate from the program was extremely pleasing for everyone involved.
“What we know also, is programs like this work,” Thomas said.
“Our success rate in getting kids through high school has gone from mid-fifty per cent 10 years ago, to mid-ninety per cent this year.
“Now it’s about, how do we help those kids use that platform to get into work? Uni? Trades? And achieve the outcomes we want.”
Santos’ Advisor - Aboriginal Engagement Che Cockatoo-Collins says it was an easy decision for his company to sponsor Port Adelaide’s Aboriginal Power Cup.
“We are very proud at Santos to be supporting the Santos Aboriginal Power Cup,” he said.
“The reason why we do it is simple. It works. It provides outcomes. Even last year, one of the young students who participated, now works in our organisation. We are very proud as a company.
“The reason why we have supported it for over 10 years now, is we know people like Paul Vandenbergh and Keith Thomas understand and care about what we are trying to achieve.”
The former Power player says he loves watching the talented footballers on show during the cup, but he knows the two days are about more than football.
“The football is pretty good, but most importantly we have people here who want to provide opportunities and assist in these young people’s future,” Cockatoo-Collins said.
“We see different organisations talking to (the students) about career pathways and other opportunities that exist.”
From a playing perspective, Karl Amon says it is great for Indigenous and non-Indigenous players on the Power list to experience the different cultures.
“It massive (for the playing group),” he said.
“Going out to the schools and seeing the kids. It’s all about education and learning about their culture, which is something I didn’t have when I was growing up.
“Certainly, since coming to Port Adelaide through Paul Vandenbergh that’s been a massive thing for me - the programs that they run.”
The silky left-footer believes Port Adelaide is the leading club in the league with the work the Aboriginal team does in the community.
“We are probably the front-runners in the competition for what we do,” Amon said.
“Not just in the Adelaide region but the programs we have in rural communities, through higher South Australia and Northern Territory, it’s exceptional.
“What they do with us boys is magnificent. Learning about our culture - I’ve learnt so much in the six years that I’ve been here.”
The grand final of the Santos Aboriginal Power Cup will be played as a curtain-raiser to Port Adelaide’s Round 14 blockbuster against Geelong at Adelaide Oval on Saturday 22 June.
To be involved in the carnival, students are required to follow a set of strict guidelines focused on a minimum of 80 per cent school attendance and targets set towards both academic and behavioural aspects of the program.
