Aboriginal Power Cup

The 2009 Aboriginal Power Cup (APC) was contested over a 15 week period amongst 10 schools throughout South Australia. The APC focuses on curriculum activities based around Australian Rules football, and concludes with a football carnival and workshops held at Alberton oval before the finalists’ play-off for the APC on AAMI Stadium as a curtain raiser to a Port Adelaide Football Club (Power) match.

After a long day of matches (52 games played in one day) at Alberton oval on Friday 28th August, the participants enjoyed dinner at the Power Club before enjoying a Blue Light Disco at Fort Largs Police Academy. Saturday morning all teams enjoyed breakfast at the Governors house in the city before returning to Alberton to complete a day of workshops. During the afternoon, teams to compete in the finals were announced. Wiltja and Port Lincoln would play in the boys and Kaurna Plains and John Pirie in the girls.

All teams arrived at AAMI Stadium full of enthusiasm and excitement. Both games were played in fantastic spirit. Port Lincoln were crowned the 2009 boys champions and John Pirie the 2009 girls champions.

Final scores:
Boys
Port Lincoln 9-12-66 defeated
Wiltja 5-3-33

Girls
John Pirie 4-6-30 defeated
Kaurna Plains 3-1-19

More information can be found here: www.aboriginalpowercup.com.au 


Cavan Training Centre

During March and April of 2009 the SANFL Indigenous department coordinated football clinics and modified games at the Cavan Training Centre.

Both the boys from the Cavan Training Centre and the SANFL staff really enjoyed the 6 week program in which 17 youths participated in, gaining valuable skills for later in their lives.

Although space was a limiting factor it did not decrease the enthusiasm and gusto of the boys in games of handball basketball and ‘no tackle’ football.

The SANFL really looks forward to getting back to the Training Centre as much as possible and wishes the boys all the best for the future. 


Rio Tinto Indigenous lands Challenge Cup

It was overdue, but worth the wait.

The 2009 Rio Tinto Indigenous Lands Challenge Cup was won by an inspired Maralinga Tjarutja (MT) side whom led from start to finish in a tremendous display of football to beat the APY Thunder by 36 points.

The MT Lands, who departed from the west coast for Adelaide early on the Thursday morning, arrived in Adelaide eager to play on AAMI Stadium, and win their first Rio Tinto Cup.

Meanwhile, the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands had endured a 14 hour bus ride through the night to arrive early Thursday morning. In the afternoon, the APY Thunder headed off to Max Basheer reserve, the home training venue of the Adelaide Football Club (Crows), to fine tune their desert skills on the lush lawns around AAMI Stadium. Their skills were sharp and silky smooth.

Without doubt, a highlight of the Thunders’ trip, was enjoying a BBQ dinner supplied by the Crows supporters group, with arguably one of the greatest, if not, the greatest indigenous player to have played the game, Andrew ‘Bunji’ McLeod. It was a great opportunity for the team to have a talk and photos with such an inspiring person in the lead up to his record breaking 313th AFL match.

To add to the Thunders’ excitement, the AFC allowed them the honour to train with the Crows on AAMI Stadium. A privilege and experience that will stay with the men forever and full credit to the Crows side and Neil Craig. They made every member of the APY side welcome and comfortable around such an elite group of sporting talent.

As the Adelaide Football Club is involved with the APY Lands through the AFL Fostership Program, the Port Adelaide Football Club is involved with the MT Lands and they accommodated as best they could while preparing for an away clash with Sydney.

Maralinga visited Alberton oval to watch the Port Adelaide Football Club train and to meet players in the lead up to their match against the Swans. The team then joined APY Thunder at the Fort Largs Police Academy for the Guernsey presentations which was attended by sponsors, supporters and Indigenous Adelaide Crows players, Jonathon Griffin and Tony Armstrong.

Both teams displayed a huge amount of respect for each other, as player after player collected their jumper to the applause of his team-mates and opposition. To top off a special night, and in a great show of Anangu camaraderie, both teams pulled their jumpers on to pose for photos, together as one.