Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Crows take Indigenous youth under their wing

Joint Media Release with:

  • Peter Garrett MP

    Minister for School Education,
    Early Childhood and Youth

    Kate Ellis MP

    Minister for Employment Participation
    Minister for Childcare
    Federal Member for Adelaide

The Australian Government is investing $300,000 to support the Adelaide Football Club to run an intensive leadership program for approximately 30 Aboriginal students on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands.

The Adelaide Football Club’s Aboriginal Youth Leadership Program will support young men and women through their senior school studies to become leaders in their communities and role models to other students.

The club will work with schools and local community mentors to select young people who have participated well and shown dedication at school, sports and in their community.

The program has been developed in consultation with the APY community and will help young people build their skills and knowledge in leadership and governance, set goals and provide opportunities for growth within their communities.

It will also give students a strong focus on education and help prepare them to achieve their South Australian Certificate of Education.

The students will act as role models for other students, taking their knowledge from the program to participate successfully in their school and community environment.

A key part of the program will be mentorship by Indigenous leaders from around South Australia, who will support the students in their life and learning journey for success.

The Adelaide Football Club has established strong links with the communities of the APY Lands and has a history of mentoring Indigenous players.

The program will promote school attendance, personal independence and help to establish pathways into further education, traineeships or other employment related opportunities.

It will link with existing programs such as the South Australian National Football League’s Indigenous Traineeship Program, South Australian Aboriginal Sports Carnival, Rio Tinto Cup, APY Lands Junior Sports League and Parental and Community Engagement programs in the APY Lands.

Young people that have excelled in the Aboriginal Youth Leadership Program may be nominated to continue in the Adelaide Football Club’s Future Leaders Program.

Funding for this program will be met from within existing resources.

The Australian Government is committed to supporting Indigenous leaders at all levels as part of our efforts to help close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage.