Fan favourite Eddie Betts will be back at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, May 16 where he will play a special role in the Crows’ celebration of Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
Betts, one of the Crows’ greatest ever forwards, is once again teaming up with Kuwarna through the Eddie Betts Foundation (EBF) Academy and will coach the junior squad set take on the Crows Academies First Nations NGA Talent in a curtain raiser before the Club hosts North Melbourne.
The game forms a key part of Kuwarna Sir Doug Nicholls Round plans which has again seen it change its name to Kuwarna – the Kaurna translation for the word Crows – for Rounds 10 and 11.
The showcase match amplifies the important work of the Eddie Betts Foundation (EBF) as well as the Club’s established Academy and community programs.
The Crows Academies First Nations NGA Talent team will feature junior players from the APY Lands, as well as regional and metropolitan South Australia, under the guidance of Crows Academies Indigenous Pathways Coach Lindsay Thomas.
The participation of talented junior players from the APY Lands has been made possible through the valued support of the Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Education Committee (PYEC).
Crows First Nations Programs Manager Jeremy Johncock said the match provided a unique opportunity for junior footballers to showcase their talents on Adelaide Oval before an AFL match.
“It’s been fantastic to work in partnership our past player Eddie Betts and his Foundation team to create opportunities for First Nations young people,” Johncock said.
“It’s about helping to inspire the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander footballers and providing a platform for our emerging talent to show their skills.”
The EBF is a not-for-profit which exists to support aspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people on their journey of excellence.
“At a time when increasing Aboriginal player representation in the AFL is more critical than ever, our Foundation remains dedicated to creating clear pathways for the next generation,” Betts said.
“The Adelaide Football Club has been a vital ally in this effort, and the Club has shown immense enthusiasm in providing the space and resources necessary to foster elite-level growth for the players.
“This event also serves as a powerful touchpoint for the families, connecting the community directly with the professional game.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to (partner) Toyota and the Adelaide Crows for their ongoing commitment to the youth in the program and their futures.”
The match will start at 10:15am before Kuwarna takes on North Melbourne at 12.45pm. Gates open at 10.15am. Tickets are available here.
The Club’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round celebrations will also incorporate Indigenous artists performing on game day and market stalls showcasing Indigenous culture, artwork and food in Adelaide Oval’s southern plaza, thanks to the support of partner BHP.
