Aboriginal Sports Training Academy

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:01): My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation. Minister, will you inform the council about the SAASTA AFL Power Academy and the Elite Netball Program?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:01): I thank the honourable member for his very important question and recognise his very longstanding commitment and interest in this area.

One of the best things we can do to break the cycle of disadvantage for Aboriginal students is to make sure they get the very best education possible. The South Australian Aboriginal Sports Training Academy has had great success in using sport to inspire Aboriginal students to achieve their very best. I am advised that around 25 students completed their Certificate III in Sport and Recreation in 2014 through the South Australian Aboriginal Sports Training Academy. I am also advised that about half of these students were in year 12 and that they were all on track to complete their SACE, with the majority of those students intending to apply for university at the end of the year.

Recognising this, the state government, in conjunction with some very important and supportive partners, have expanded the sports training academy. Building on the Aboriginal Power Cup, the Department for Education and Child Development has partnered with the Port Adelaide Football Club to launch the AFL Power Academy. It is important to note that this was a first across Australia. No other state or territory has a partnership program like this. The academy could be a trail to top level football but, more importantly, it is a way to inspire Aboriginal students to achieve their very best at school.

To remain in the program, students must meet high academic standards, including at least an 80 per cent attendance rate and a C grade average in their SACE subjects. Students will also study a Certificate III in Sport and Recreation, which counts towards the completion of their SACE certificate. Students will have access to the facilities and expertise of the Port Power clubrooms at Alberton and will be mentored by Port Power coaches and players.

Building on the success of the AFL Power Academy, in November last year the sports training academy Elite Netball Program was launched. Similar to the AFL Power Academy, students who are accepted into the Elite Netball Program undertake Certificate III in Sport and Recreation which, again, counts towards their SACE certificate while also developing their netball skills. Students spend four days at their usual school and one day doing their sport and recreation studies, both at UniSA City East campus and the Netball SA stadium at Mile End. I am informed that the students involved in this program also play before the Adelaide Thunderbirds in the Indigenous netball round. Again, the Elite Netball Program has very high achievement standards and students must have a minimum of 90 per cent attendance.

It is programs like these that have contributed to retention rates for year 8 to 12 Aboriginal students in government schools more than doubling from 33.1 per cent just over a decade ago to 86.1 per cent in 2014. I commend all those involved in the program and wish the students involved all the very best with their studies this year and look forward to providing further updates on these initiatives to the chamber.

I would also like to take this opportunity to recognise the former minister for education and child development (the member for Wright), who I understand was exceptionally keen to see these initiatives up and running and I know she was particularly keen on the netball program—and who, I am told, can still kick a footy and chuck a netball per se around with the best of them.