The Aboriginal AFL Academy aims to provide an elite AFL academy for Aboriginal participants who demonstrate a commitment to achieving excellence in both football and education.
The program will consist of a squad of 30 players who will spend one day a week over 40 weeks at Alberton completing a Certificate III in Sport and Recreation through a range of theory and practical workshops.
Lecturers from TAFE SA will provide expert tuition to participants in conjunction with Port Adelaide and SAASTA staff. Importantly, academy participants will also receive regular mentoring from Port Adelaide players and SAASTA mentors.
To be considered eligible for the Aboriginal AFL Academy participants must adhere to the following educational requirements:
• Be enrolled to complete their SACE at a South Australian school
• Maintain a minimum 80% attendance rate across all subjects throughout the 2014 school year
• Achieve academic success in all subjects (C grade or better)
• Adhere at all times to the school’s behaviour management code
The Aboriginal AFL Academy team is set to compete in the South Australian mid-week public secondary school competition and proposes to play the curtain-raiser to Port Adelaide’s historic Round 11 AFL Indigenous Round clash against Melbourne at Traeger Park in Alice Springs.
Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas said the club was thrilled to be partnering with SAASTA to form this unique program.
“Port Adelaide is delighted to be partnering SAASTA in this commitment to establish the first Aboriginal AFL Academy of its kind,” Mr Thomas said.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for thirty students enrolled in Years 10 to 12 at South Australian secondary schools to share the resources of an AFL club including expert advice from our AFL coaches, fitness staff and dieticians while at the same time gaining credits toward their SACE by engaging in a range of theory and practical workshops.
“Essentially, the participants will get access to all of our expertise and gain a genuine AFL experience within their school curriculum.
“From a health and fitness point of view, Port Adelaide will provide a tailored skills-based training program which will also include programs focussed on strength and conditioning, dietary requirements, recovery and general healthy lifestyle teachings.
“This program will be developed and administered by our Head of High Performance Darren Burgess and his sports science team.”
Mr Thomas said this academy was a natural fit for Port Adelaide through its long and proud association with the Aboriginal community both on and off the field.
“Many Aboriginal players have been associated with Port Adelaide’s history of on-field success. From premiership heroes Richie Bray to Ross Agius in the SANFL to the likes of Gavin Wanganeen, the Burgoyne brothers and Norm Smith Medallist Byron Pickett in the AFL, our club’s heritage of producing and fostering Aboriginal champions is evident,” Mr Thomas said.
“And off-field our commitment to the Aboriginal community is currently seen through the highly successful Aboriginal Power Cup which enters its seventh year this year and now engages over 300 Aboriginal students at more than 30 schools.”
Participants of the Aboriginal AFL Academy will have access to Port Adelaide’s vast network of contacts to seek career advice and support. Academy staff and mentors will provide student career support throughout their participation in the program and foster relationships into their chosen industry.
Mr Thomas said the desired outcome of the program was to provide participants with a successful completion of their education requirements as well as an enhanced understanding of the workings of a professional sporting organisation.
“This program is all about combining education, sport and healthy living. On completion students will have a Certificate III in Sports and Recreation but just as significantly will gain a greater understanding of their health and wellbeing,” Mr Thomas said.
“The end goal of this program is to develop the social and life skills of Aboriginal participants so as they feel confident and empowered to act as role models for future students and their community.”
The State Government will provide $50,000 funding a year to the program.
Premier Jay Weatherill said the Aboriginal AFL Academy will ensure the State’s best young Aboriginal footballers will acquire the essential skills they need for both on and off the footy field.
“We have a proud record of improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal students,” Mr Weatherill said.
“Last year, almost 70 per cent of Aboriginal students stayed on to Year 12 – the highest retention rate in the nation.
“The Academy is an opportunity to keep building on this by incorporating football into study.
“It is about inspiring, educating and providing opportunities for our young Aboriginal students.”
Executive Director of Aboriginal Education David Rathman said the Aboriginal AFL Academy creates vital opportunities for the participants.
“The importance of creating opportunity for success is critical in building a culture of success for young Aboriginal people,” Mr Rathman said.
“The Aboriginal AFL Academy creates connection between the code of AFL and the success of SAASTA to join together the strengths and disciplines of elite sport and education in building high expectation and performance that enables young Aboriginal people to enter into a life time of achievement.”
