PORT ADELAIDE is excited to launch its Women’s Aboriginal Academy in 2018, following the success of its men’s Aboriginal AFL Academy over the past four years.

In its inaugural year, the program will see 28 female Aboriginal students participate, and Port Adelaide’s Director of Aboriginal Programs Paul Vandenbergh says it's an exciting time for the club and the community.



"We are thrilled to have the backing of the South Australian Aboriginal Sports Training Academy, the Department of Education and the Department for Prime Minister and Cabinet to support a program that will make a difference in the female Aboriginal community," Vandenbergh said.



"We just felt it was fitting, given we've had the Aboriginal AFL Academy running for four years - it was time that we had a Female Aboriginal Academy.



“Thankfully Minister Susan Close and the Department of Education were rapt with the concept - they were very interested in supporting the program and couldn't wait to launch it.”



Port Adelaide held a trial for the academy a couple of weeks ago, with a huge turnout and a tremendous level of skill for the young women exciting the club immensely.



With the popularity of the AFLW in its first year, Vandenbergh was upbeat about the prospect of introducing this program in 2018 , but emphasized that football was just one aspect - with education a priority.



"We always knew football would be popular in the female Aboriginal community, we just had to create the pathway and platform," he said.



"We would love to see some of the girls progress to the AFLW, and hopefully represent Port Adelaide when we get a license, but the education portion of our program is our priority.



"It is just a bonus if we get AFL or AFLW representation from our programs.



“We want to provide a strong education program for the young Aboriginal community above anything else.”

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