Highly respected Ngadjuri elder and Indigenous rights advocate Vincent Copley AM was a star junior footballer during his time with Port Adelaide.

THE Port Adelaide Football Club is saddened by the passing of highly respected Ngadjuri elder and Indigenous rights advocate Vincent Copley AM.

Mr Copley played junior football with the club, winning the H.W. Tomkins Memorial Medal as the fairest and most brilliant player in the SANFL under-19 competition in 1953.

He then embarked upon a playing and coaching career on Yorke Peninsula, in particular with the Curramulka Magpies.

A talented cricketer, Mr Copley also became a sports administrator, organising cricket programs for Aboriginal Australians.

In 2014, he was named as a member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the Indigenous community as an advocate for the improvement of social, legal and economic rights and cultural identity.

The Port Adelaide Football Club sends its condolences to Mr Copley’s family and friends.

Mr Copley’s name and image have been used with the permission of his family.