Stirling East Primary School PE teacher Adam Curran named AFL teacher of the year

Is this SA’s most dedicated PE teacher? From coaching multiple teams to running more than a hundred carnivals, he’s now won a national AFL award.

He might be the busiest PE teacher in South Australia – but Adam Curran says it’s just for the kids.

The Adelaide Hills teacher has been awarded the AFL’s highest national honour for teachers, and a seat at the Grand Final for his overwhelming dedication to his students and their beloved footy.

The Stirling East Primary School PE teacher was named the 2024 AFL teacher of the year, an honour that includes flights to the Grand Final and a three-night stay in Melbourne.

Over more than a decade at SEPS, Mr Curran has supported thousands of children in all forms of sport, principal Jess Moroney said – especially for AFL.

Stirling East Primary School PE teacher Adam Curran with students Levi Hermens and Hadley and Marley O'Connor. Picture: Brad Griffin Photography

He’s organised more than a hundred Hills lightning carnivals, coaches multiple teams, heads to students’ major matches on off days, and is passionate about keeping up with old scholars’ sporting careers and inviting them back to run school clinics.

“I am thrilled to see Adam recognised for his dedication to our school, the students and families,” Mr Moroney said.

“Adam is the major reason why our students are school have such long-standing success in all sports throughout the Adelaide Hills.

“His dedication to providing opportunities for children will often see him coaching multiple days each week before his work day starts and then backing that up with an additional coaching session during his lunch break.”

Mr Curran said he was humbled to be chosen as the national winner, but he was equally happy to see the kids performing their best in sport and at school.

“One of the most important aspects as a teacher is connections with children and their families,” he said.

Stirling East Primary School principal Jess Moroney with PE teacher Adam Curran. Picture: Brad Griffin Photography

“For me, the connection doesn’t just stop because a child has left primary school. I take great pride in keeping track of how past students are going both in their sporting achievements and careers beyond school.”

Mr Curran won the award on the back of his overwhelming out-of-school-hours workload – as well as coaching teams, he organises local lightning carnivals across the Hills.

He’s also passionate about keeping old scholars engaged with the school, bringing them back to umpire or inviting students now playing at higher levels to run clinics or talk about their pathways in AFL.

He looks for opportunities to include all kids in sport, recently supporting a child with a challenging medical diagnosis to live out a game-day experience at a SANFL club.

“I love what I’m doing and it’s for the kids,” he said.