South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy (SAASTA) supports Aboriginal students throughout secondary school and aims to help set them up for successful post-school transitions to further education, training and employment. It provides opportunities for students to develop skills, and confidence to dream, believe and achieve in areas of education, employment, healthy living and connection to culture.

What does SAASTA offer?

SASSTA offers a variety of opportunities stemming from completing SACE and connecting community. It promotes the health, social, and economic benefits of combining sport and education, both at school and as students transition to post-school training, employment. To be involved in the academy, students must complete curriculum tasks, uphold behaviour standards and meet attendance requirements. During the 28^th to the 30^th of May, the Santos Aboriginal Power Cup, in partnership with Port Adelaide Football Club, had around 30 academy’s attends with over 670 students across South Australia and Northern Territory participating.

Over the three days we were grateful to participate in Student Led Conferences, games of football, and traditional cultural dance performed on Adelaide Oval. On Tuesday we travelled to Morphettville where conferences were organised for us by SAASTA. We were able to meet influential people who created an awareness for pathways that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students could follow. Among those, one who stood out was Flinders University Vice Chancellor Professor Simone Ulalka Tur who spoke about her impact within Flinders University and how she progressed through education to where she stands today in her role at Flinders. She was an inspiration for the next generation of young Indigenous Women.

Wednesday was another early start but this time we took our adventure towards Alberton Oval in Port Adelaide to begin our football journey. We started off with our first round against a tough Paralowie side, however, with the support and energy from our new friends at Christies Beach we managed to defeat them. With our first win under our belt, we felt confident. Next on our timetable was a trip over to Randle for the Australian Police Force and Flinders University stalls to look at opportunities and careers offered to us before we hopped, skipped and jumped our way over to the new Port Adelaide MG Sports Centre. There we meet the Dusty Feet Mob who were there to teach us the dance we would be performing an Adelaide Oval on Thursday Night under the big lights against Carlton.

On our final day Thursday, we were sore, tired and cold, but excitement still filled our spirits. We played four games that day, but a highlight for us would be our 50-point domination against Port Pirie. After the conclusion of the games, we hiked towards Adelaide Oval ready for our final performance. As chills filled our body, nervous to dance in front of approximately 41,000 people, David Koch calmed the sea with his words of encouragement and comfort. We were displayed in our SAASTA uniforms which consisted of our very own design winner from Port Augusta. Students chose to go bare foot to represent the culture or our Ancestors.

We loved participating in the Santos Power Cup and can't wait to see what’s next on our adventure at SAASTA, till next time.......

Georgia Renton