The Riverland SAASTA boys team finished as runners up at the Aboriginal Power Cup in Adelaide, with two BRSC students receiving special honours.
Year 12 student Quentin received the high flyer award while fellow Year 12 and boys’ team captain Gabriel received the leadership award.
Their Riverland boys team had the honour of playing in the grand final match for the Power Cup, which is the longest running joint education and AFL community program for Aboriginal students.
The boys played Central Yorke boys in a curtain raiser to the AFL Round 11 Port Adelaide v Carlton game, finishing runners up for the second consecutive year.
SAASTA lead teacher Michael Toogood said the awards were well deserved.
“Gabriel’s been the captain for the past two years at the Power Cup and he’s an incredible leader and role model for all the students in the academy,” Mr Toogood said.
Quentin’s high flyer award recognised his commitment to SAASTA, Aboriginal pathways and the Aboriginal Power Cup.
“He would probably have 98-100 per cent attendance for SAASTA and close to that for school as well, to be chosen out of more than 600 students who attend the cup is pretty special,” Mr Toogood said.
The Aboriginal Power Cup is an annual cultural, educational and football carnival run in partnership between Port Adelaide, the South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy (SAASTA) and the Workabout Centre.
Mr Toogood said students soaked up the experience.
“Some of them have never stepped foot into the Adelaide Oval stadium let alone to go out onto what you would almost call sacred ground, so to be out there with the AFL players is just unbelievable.”
The Riverland SAASTA is offered through RSSA and involves students from Berri Regional Secondary College, Renmark High School, Loxton High School and Waikerie High School.
Mr Toogood said that to be eligible to participate in the Aboriginal Power Cup students needed to demonstrate a commitment to SAASTA and school attendance and positive academic and behavioural standards.
Selection into the grand final game is based on points allocated to academies through results of a two-day 9-aside football competition as well as attendance and commitment both in the lead up and during the event.
“It’s the pinnacle event of the year for SAASTA so it’s a real driving force for the students to commit to get their opportunity to go,” Mr Toogood said.
“Riverland has a long history of success at the Power Cup and this year we took 30 students out of 34.”
