MORE than 200 students from schools across the state were at Alberton Oval on Wednesday for a football carnival as part of an education program funded in part by the generosity of local Adelaide artist Elle Campbell.

Ms Campbell’s “Kangaroos on the Coast” design featured on Port Adelaide’s Indigenous guernsey, worn in the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round and SANFL’s Indigenous round earlier this year.

Originally designed for a 2019 exhibition to celebrate NAIDOC week, Ms Campbell asked that all proceeds from the sale of the guernseys be invested into the club’s Aboriginal programs.

In partnership with the South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy, the Port Adelaide Football Club delivered the new carnival – the Power SAASTA Connect carnival – to year 8 and 9 students to support their transition to the club’s industry-leading Santos Aboriginal Power Cup program.

Wednesday’s carnival involved students from 14 schools including from the Riverland, Mount Gambier and Whyalla, along with metropolitan Adelaide.

“It was important to us that when Elle said she wanted the proceeds to be invested into our programs that we expanded on our offerings to support even more students,” said Port Adelaide Community Programs Manager - Aboriginal, Braedon Talbot.

“We are very grateful for her donation that has allowed us to partner with SAASTA to engage with an additional cohort of students in years 8 and 9 and help them achieve real educational outcomes.

“It means we are able to build relationships with younger students who will be the future of the Santos Aboriginal Power Cup and assist with their education around cultural identity, Aboriginal language, healthy lifestyles and respectful relationships.

“It has been an exciting moment to host our first Power SAASTA Connect carnival and we are looking forward to seeing these students becoming the leaders of the future.”

SAASTA State Manager Andrew Smith said the carnival was about rewarding students for their success within the SAASTA Connect program run in their schools.

“SAASTA Connect is open to all Aboriginal students who are committed and passionate about pursuing success in education and building a strong foundation for their future,” he said.

“The focus is on assisting students to build their connection with their culture through learning activities such as art, language, health, history and leadership.

“Students who achieve their behavioural and academic goals are rewarded for their success with an invitation to key events such as the Power SAASTA Connect carnival held in partnership with the Port Adelaide Football Club.”

As well as the competitive football carnival, students worked with Ms Campbell on a mural, combining artworks they have created individually at school after researching their own cultural background.

A careers and health expo was also held to provide students with potential pathways beyond their schooling.

Port Adelaide raised $36,000 from the sale of guernseys featuring the “Kangaroos on the Coast” design, which has enabled the carnival to take place.