Adelaide City Council to reverse decision to cut funding to Crows Indigenous foundation

Adelaide City Council is set to change its mind after cutting $20,000 from a Crows Indigenous football carnival – which has pushed back its date.

Crows players Wayne Milera, Isaya McKenzie, Tariek Newchurch, Blayne O'Loughlin, Shane McAdam and Izak Rankine pose in the Indigenous round jumper designed by Danielle Ponter's Aunty April Napangardi Campbell. Picture Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty

Adelaide City councillors have paved the way for a backflip on their funding snub to the Crows Foundation’s Indigenous football carnival to be held this weekend.

The council’s finance committee backed a plan by Cr Arman Abrahimzadeh to provide $20,000 in funding, or half the total cost.

It had created the odd situation that the vote – which needs to be ratified at the general council meeting next week – was to come after the Kumankga Cup is held on May 20.

However, the Crows have now pushed the Cup back to July 5.

The $20,000 Crows Foundation grant was recommended by council administration, but rejected by councillors in favour of the charity Ending Period Poverty.

That charity will retain its funding and the Crows Foundation money will be funded from savings.

A spokesman for the Crows said it would decide on Wednesday if the Indigenous carnival could still go ahead given the council delay had caused organisational delays.

Cr Abrahimzadeh said on Monday: “I’m hopeful that this allocation of $20,000 will be supported by majority, if not all, of the councillors.

“It is disappointing to see the City of Adelaide, at the 11th hour, pulled its support from such a worthwhile initiative.

“On the same night that the council supported the Voice to Parliament campaign, we turned our backs to a great initiative that would teach participants about reconciliation and Kaurna culture.

“I hope we can right the wrong and show the community that we can find $20,000 among our annual budget which is in excess of $300m.”

The Crows’ charity foundation plans an inaugural Kumankga Cup during the NAIDOC Week celebrations held this July 2023.

It won’t comment on the funding furore.