THE Power has joined forces with the Attorney General's Department, the SA Aboriginal Sports Training Academy and the SANFL to run a unique program targeted at Indigenous secondary school children – the Aboriginal Power Cup.

Running across two school terms (Terms 2 and 3), and with a competitive football carnival as its centrepiece, the Aboriginal Power Cup focuses on engaging young Indigenous people in education, promoting healthy lifestyle choices and developing teamwork, leadership and life skills.

In 2009, 240 students from 10 South Australian schools have participated in the Cup, with the event now reaching Ceduna, Coober Pedy, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln and Port Pirie, as well as five metropolitan Adelaide schools.

The Cup program includes separate boys and girls teams from each school. It culminates in a 9-a-side football carnival at Alberton Oval today (Friday August 28). The Grand Final will be played at AAMI Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Power v Kangaroos match tomorrow evening. Students will also participate in a Blue Light Disco, a reception breakfast at Government House and self-development workshops.

To reach the on-field final, teams must attend school, complete a SACE Unit, design team guernseys, write a club song, contribute content for a website and demonstrate team work on the footy field. All guernsey designs and their stories can be found on the special Aboriginal Power Cup website (www.AboriginalPowerCup.com.au).

Last year, school attendance increased up to 23 per cent among students who took part in the Cup.

Students also get to rub shoulders with their Power heroes who visit each of the schools during the course of the year. Last year’s winning team, Para West, was coached by Wade Thompson, who was selected as a rookie by the Power later in the year.