The Adelaide Football Club’s Indigenous programs have been given a $300,000 boost by the Federal Government.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion this morning announced the funding, during a visit to Fregon community in the APY Lands, in the far northwest of South Australia.

Mr Scullion said the supported programs were aimed at improving school attendance among Indigenous children.

“The Adelaide Football Club’s Ready, Set, Go program will deliver activities focussed on secondary school children,” he said.

“Activities will include mentoring and helping students explore future study and job opportunities.

“The Club will also work closely with families and schools to identify and prepare secondary students who are suited to living in a boarding school environment or who require specialised school support.”

Crows Indigenous Programs Manager Andrew McLeod, who was in the APY Lands for the announcement, said the funding would enhance the Club’s current programs.

“It will allow the Adelaide Football Club to extend our ongoing work to provide, support, mentoring and opportunities to help keep students in school,” McLeod said.

“Our aims match the Federal Government’s objectives of getting children to go to school to improve their education and to give them a good start in life.

“We will help deliver strategic programs focussed on secondary school children from the APY Lands and across the West Coast of South Australia. Football can be a vehicle for driving change.”