For the first time in 19 years, the Santos Aboriginal Power Cup is expanding into the Northern Territory.

Port Adelaide’s not-for-profit arm, Power Community Limited, has announced the landmark expansion of its flagship Santos Aboriginal Power Cup program into the Northern Territory.

Now in its 19th year, the program will officially launch in the Top End in 2026 across nine schools, engaging approximately 200 First Nations secondary students as part of efforts to address declining school attendance rates.

School attendance among First Nations students in the Northern Territory currently sits below 60 per cent, with only around 40 per cent completing Year 12.

The expansion comes after the club’s not-for-profit successfully piloted the program over the past two years, providing opportunities for Territory based schools to take part in the South Australian program.

Students who achieve at least 80 per cent school attendance and meet behaviour standards earn the opportunity to take part in the annual AFL carnival. Image: Kane Chenoweth.

Recognised as an industry-leading initiative for close to two decades, the Santos Aboriginal Power Cup uses AFL football, player engagement and game-day experiences as a powerful hook to connect with students, underpinned by an education-first philosophy.

Participating schools receive a curriculum-aligned program covering culture, health, wellbeing, education, and employment. The content is closely linked to National Closing the Gap targets, with key messages delivered by AFL players, a proven method of engaging and educating young people.

At the heart of the program is a simple but powerful incentive: students who achieve at least 80 per cent school attendance and meet behaviour standards earn the opportunity to take part in the annual AFL carnival.

The program builds on a holistic model already established through Power Community Limited’s long-standing work in partnership with the South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy across metropolitan, regional and remote South Australia, and has a strong track record of impact.

In 2025, 93 per cent of participating students completed the program and improved their school engagement, 96 per cent reported increased confidence, and 100 per cent of teachers said they would recommend the program.

Power Community Limited’s Head of Programs, Braedon Talbot - a proud Larrakia and Wagiman man originally from Darwin - will lead the Northern Territory expansion, bringing a strong personal connection to the communities the program will support.

Power Community Limited’s Head of Programs, Braedon Talbot, will lead the expansion. Image: Kane Chenoweth.

Talbot said the expansion was a significant step in creating meaningful, long-term change for young people in the Territory.

“This program is about more than football, it’s about creating opportunity, building confidence and showing young people what’s possible when they stay engaged in school,” Talbot said.

“We have piloted the program up here for a few years to gain an understanding of some of the challenges these communities face, and we also know the strength, culture and potential that exists within them.

“By bringing the Santos Aboriginal Power Cup to the Northern Territory, we’re creating a platform using the power of sport for students to feel connected, supported and motivated to attend school, while celebrating their identity and culture along the way.”

He will be supported by AFL legend and club Indigenous Liaison Officer Shaun Burgoyne, along with former Port Adelaide player Steven Motlop, who will deliver face-to-face workshops at participating schools in the lead-up to the carnival.

Burgoyne said the program’s expansion would provide an important source of inspiration for young people in the Territory.

“Programs like this show young people what can be achieved when you stay connected to school and back yourself,” Burgoyne said.

“Footy is a powerful way to open the door, but it’s the life skills, education and confidence that come from both sport, and the Santos Aboriginal Power cup, that can make a real difference.

“I’m proud to be part of something that not only supports students in the classroom, but also celebrates culture and helps build strong, connected communities.”

Santos Managing Director and CEO Kevin Gallagher said the Northern Territory expansion marked a proud milestone for a program Santos has supported since 2009.

"The Santos Aboriginal Power Cup has been delivering real outcomes for young First Nations people for over 16 years, and the results speak for themselves. Expanding into the Northern Territory is a natural progression for a program like this, and one Santos is proud to support,” said Mr Gallagher.

“We have a long-standing commitment to the Northern Territory and the communities in which we operate, and investing in the education and futures of young people is exactly where we want to make a difference."

The inaugural Northern Territory program will culminate in Darwin the day before the club’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash against the Gold Coast Suns.

Students who meet the program’s attendance and engagement benchmarks will earn the opportunity to attend the carnival alongside a large portion of Port Adelaide’s AFL playing group.