Governor-General meets members of Port Adelaide’s Women’s Aboriginal AFL Academy

The Governor-General of Australia was so moved by the work of a special group of Port Adelaide players he made a special trip to Alberton on Tuesday to meet them.

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The Governor-General of Australia has been so inspired by a one-of-a-kind Port Adelaide Aussie Rules academy for Aboriginal girls, that this afternoon he’s made a special visit to meet those behind it.

His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife, Lady Cosgrove arrived at Port Adelaide’s Alberton headquarters around 2pm today to enjoy an afternoon tea with members of Port Adelaide’s Women’s Aboriginal AFL Academy.

The Governor-General of Australia, Sir Peter Cosgrove, has arrived at @PAFC headquarters at Alberton to meet members of the club's inspiring Women's Aboriginal AFL Academy ahead of International Women's Day. @theTiser @TheTiserSport @aflwomens pic.twitter.com/LPat9rqxB5

— Liz Walsh (@lizwalsh77) March 5, 2019

After reading about the academy’s work in The Advertiser’s SAWeekend magazine in January, Cosgrove contacted the football club asking to personally meet with its participants ahead of International Women’s Day on Friday.

Sir Cosgrove enjoyed a special high tea that had been prepared with indigenous ingredients.

As he addressed the gathering, which included newly appointed Port board director Gavin Wanganeen, he praised the Port Adelaide Football Club for establishing its girls academy.

He said the young Year 11 and Year 12 students from the academy sitting in the room were part of a moment in history where women’s sport was excelling.

“Women’s sport at the moment is showing the way in Australia with all of the problems that beset the (mens) sports in all the winter codes and sometimes in cricket, we can look at the women’s expression of athletic excellence and the ethos of the game and say that we have much to be proud about.

The "welcome to country" dance. Picture SARAH REED

“You’re in a fortunate place where you can feed your minds and grow your confidence and your prospects for an unfettered future as well as giving it a red hot go in this great game.”

Despite Sir Cosgrove’s particular interest in rugby league, he revealed that he had a family connection with Australian Rules, through his uncle, who had played for Richmond in the VFL before he died in World War II.

“I think if all those past AFL players, if their ghosts could crowd into this room, they would be mightily pleased to see you young women embaked in this great program,” he said.

“So I would say to the club, to the league, to all the sponsors and benefactors and promoters of this scheme: Well done. But most of all, I would say well done to you young women for being here and sticking with it and buckling down and doing the school work.”

The academy — known affectionately as WAAA and currently in its second year — combines specialised football training with educational components to encourage members to complete their SACE.

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove joins in the conversation with Port Adelaide Football club's women from the Aboriginal AFL Academy. Picture SARAH REED

Once a week, WAAA members gather at Alberton where they study in the morning and then have football training in the afternoon.

Run in partnership with the South Australian Aboriginal Sports Training Academy, the teenager footballers can only attend the academy if they achieve a 90 per cent attendance rate at their mainstream schools.

Sir Cosgrove also met with Port’s CEO Keith Thomas and the club’s director of Aboriginal programs, Paul Vandenbergh.

Mr Vandenbergh said at the heart of the program was the desire to close the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.