Talking footy in class? How it’s helping Indigenous kids feel strong and proud
High school students in South Australia's south–east are proving football has a place in the classroom.
Teenager Denzel Wilson has always wished he had more opportunities to talk about his culture at school.
"We should do it more. There should be more information about where we come from," he said.
Now a new program at Mount Gambier High School is giving him that chance.
Indigenous students in Years 10–12 from five schools in the region are taking part in the South Australian Aboriginal Sports Training Academy (SAASTA).
While SAASTA began in 2005 and has grown to include more than 60 schools across the state, this is its first year operating in the south-east.
Beyond sport, the program focuses on health education, with in-class work that counts towards students' Certificate in Aboriginal Studies and their South Australian Certificate of Education.
It also encourages students to learn and share information about their cultures and histories.
Mount Gambier High School teacher Sarah McCarthy first encountered the program working at Warriappendi, a school in Adelaide's western suburbs.
She moved to Mount Gambier in 2015 and brought the idea with her.
"Speaking with students in the region about the opportunity and having immense interest, it was promising," Ms McCarthy said.
"It is about being strong and proud. That means strong and proud in your mind and in your cultural knowledge.
"And also being strong in your body — making healthy choices and healthy decisions that will benefit you as an individual and also your community."
In one classroom activity the students design football guernseys with art reflecting their cultures.
In another, they set goals and map pathways for future study.
Mentors promote school attendance
The course culminates in the Aboriginal Power Cup, which is held in Adelaide each year during June.
"That really got students fired up and interested," Ms McCarthy said.
"We checked out Power Cup [last year] and with the support of the local community and our fabulous principals, we were able to roll out the academy."
For many students, the highlight has been finding mentors in newly drafted Port Adelaide players Dom Barry and Joel Garner, who have held workshops at the school.
Barry grew up in the remote APY Lands town of Fregon before being drafted, and said his upbringing had inspired him to join the program.
"My obligation is that I've been educated and I've had these opportunities," he said.
"It's my time to give back to these students so they can have a good role model to look up to, get an education and go back to these communities to do the exact same thing."
He hoped his involvement in the program could help lift low attendance rates for Indigenous students in remote and regional communities.
"There is a light at the end of the tunnel. We're here to support them," he said.
"We will support them through their sporting endeavours but their educational endeavours as well."
Garner, who grew up in regional Victoria, said the program had an important role to play when it came to engaging Indigenous students in their learning.
"It started with six schools … so it is obviously growing and really good for those Indigenous kids," he said.
"The [attendance] stats aren't too good at school. But SAASTA provides an 85 per cent strike rate for kids passing and getting through and getting further education."
Sights set on Power Cup
Ms McCarthy said engaging students in the program had been easy.
"The best way to connect with a teenager is to ask them what they are interested in, and then listen and don't talk," she said.
"As soon as you do that you'll find that the young people will be confident to take the reins, to drive the educational program and to be empowered as life-long learners.
"That's what teaching is all about."
She said students were more engaged than ever as they ramped up their training for the cup.
"They're very excited and I think having some new recruits is even better because it means they're engaging with enthusiastic young people who are not that much older than themselves," she said.
"They can find out from the two players what sort of pathways they've taken and where they are hoping their futures will lead them."
Students will put their new skills to the test at Adelaide Oval in June.
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