Crows co-captain Chelsea Randall brought a taste of the AFLW to Roxby Downs this week, with the Adelaide Football Club hosting a three-day clinic for 550 local primary school students.

The regional visit was run in partnership with BHP which – through its South Australian Olympic Dam operation, located near Roxby Downs – is supporting the Crows’ AFLW team for the 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons.

In addition to the clinics, the Crows team also delivered the Growing with Gratitude program which aims to help teachers, students and their families build and protect their mental health by fostering gratitude, kindness, empathy, optimism and mindfulness.

Also a member of the Crows’ community team, Randall said the Club was thrilled to be working with BHP to grow football – particularly the women’s game – in the region.

“We love getting out to regional South Australia and it was great to team up with BHP to deliver some of our programs in Roxby Downs this week,” Randall said.

 “As well as providing local kids with the opportunity to practice their footy skills, or perhaps have a go at the sport for the first time, our team delivered the Growing with Gratitude program to help kids with some of the tools and skills they need to lead healthy, successful and productive lives.

“It is important we teach kids these skills and habits as it helps them develop resilience with everyday challenges in their lives and gives them the best possible chance to succeed.”

Olympic Dam Surface General Manager, Chris Barnesby, said it was a fantastic opportunity for local students to be part of BHP’s three year partnership with the Adelaide Football Club women’s team, announced earlier this year. 

“The clinic provided the incredibly unique opportunity for more than 550 students from the Roxby Downs Area School, St Barbara’s Parish School, Andamooka Primary School, and Woomera Area School to participate in a football skills session with the Crows community team,” Barnesby said.

“Since announcing the partnership, there has been a real buzz at Olympic Dam – our people really support it and it was great to see the excitement on the students’ faces.”