Children from Kaurna Plains School and the Kickstart for Kids program will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to run out with the Crows team on Sunday, thanks to Adelaide’s premier partner Bendigo Bank and the Crows Children’s Foundation.

The children have been given the opportunity to be the Bendigo Bank Mighty Mascots and will wear special Indigenous guernseys which pay tribute to Adelaide’s 23 past and present AFL Indigenous players.

The guernsey has been specially designed by Wayne Milera’s uncle Roger Rigney. Tickets to the Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash with Greater Western Sydney, which kicks off at 4.10pm, are still available.

A group of nine children from Kaurna Plains School visited the Adelaide Football Club on Tuesday where they were presented with their guernseys for Sunday, had the opportunity to meet players and take part in a fun skills session.

For many of the kids, Sunday will be the first time they have been to Adelaide Oval and to an AFL match. Read more about the Sir Doug Nicholls Round celebrations here. 

Crows Children’s Foundation Manager Louise McDonald said the initiative was one of many ways the Club and its partners were celebrating the game’s Indigenous culture this week as part of Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

“It’s fantastic that these kids, many who have never seen a live AFL match, have the opportunity to meet and run out with their heroes on Sunday,” McDonald said.

“They’re extremely excited and we’re very grateful to Bendigo Bank for facilitating this opportunity.”

Bendigo Bank Senior Campaign Manager Jay Wheeler said they were proud to be involved.

“Bendigo Bank is thrilled to play a part in this week’s culturally significant experience for the kids from Kaurna Plains School and the Kick Start For Kids program,” Wheeler said.

“We love the Mighty Mascot initiative and its ability to connect the children of our communities with their AFL heroes.

“The Sir Doug Nicholls round is a tremendous celebration of our Indigenous cultures and holds special significance for South Australians with Sir Doug Nicholls serving as our Governor in 1976/77.”

Thank you to Bendigo Bank for donating this mascot opportunity for Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

Kickstart for Kids, which provides tens of thousands of breakfasts to school kids in need each week, is supported by the Crows Children’s Foundation.


The Club's first Indigenous player, Eddie Hocking, presenting his guernsey


Cam Ellis-Yolmen and one of the Bendigo Bank Mighty Mascots