A number of students from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands have been behind-the-scenes at the Adelaide Football Club recently as part of the Ready Set Crow program’s short term visits which provide a taste of life in Adelaide.    

The students from Murputja, Mimili, Indulkana and Amata were hosted by the Crows’ Ready Set Crow team including Andrew and Rachael McLeod, Eddie Hocking and Mark Mueller.  

Now in its third year, the Ready Set Crow program encourages students from remote communities to experience short term stays in Adelaide – with transitional support and guidance provided by both the Crows and Wiltja Residential teams. 

As part of the visits, students have the opportunity to experience life in a metropolitan secondary school, at Wiltja Boarding, and participate in leadership and mentoring sessions at the Adelaide Football Club.

The visits also incorporate fun experiences such football skills sessions, boxing, basketball, soccer, trampolining at Bounce or ten pin bowling – which many of the students haven’t experienced before.

McLeod said the visits are a critical step to allow families to make informed decisions about their children returning to Adelaide to study on a full-time basis.

“The Ready Set Crow team has assisted 30 students through transition visits in recent months, working together with Wiltja staff to support the students across a two week trial,” he said.

“The visits provide an opportunity for our team to build a stronger rapport with the students and get to know them on a more personal basis so that we can support them if they do decide to take up schooling in Adelaide.

“We always have a lot of fun and there’s often the opportunity to meet some of the AFL or AFLW players at our sessions at the Club.”

The Ready Set Crow project is proudly funded by the Australian Government and delivered in partnership with Wiltja Residential and the Department of Education and Childhood Development.