Meet Andrew Saunders, a talented young boxer who is being given every opportunity to realise his dreams thanks to Westminster School and the Adelaide Football Club.
The 15-year-old from Port Augusta is the newest Boarding student at Westminster School under the Beach Energy AFC Indigenous programs run by Adelaide Crows recent AFL Hall of Fame inductee Andrew McLeod.
Saunders is one of three young Indigenous students at Westminster School under the current partnership with the Adelaide Football Club. Brothers Matthew and Kupa Henry from Indulkana also attend the school under the same arrangement.
Adelaide Crows legend Andrew McLeod said the partnership was crucial to the Indigenous programs he runs throughout the State.
“It provides an opportunity for us to identify and help young Indigenous people like Andrew to go to a school such as Westminster,” McLeod said.
“A school that can provide them with a quality education and quality resources and support systems to help them be their best.”
Westminster Principal Steve Bousfield said it was wonderful for the school to be involved with the Adelaide Football Club and their Beach Energy Indigenous programs.
“The school is thrilled we can provide opportunities for outstanding young men such as Andrew,” Bousfield said.
“Andrew has become a rising star in his sport of boxing and opened up a world of possibilities for his future.
“We give him opportunities every day to achieve all-round excellence in sport, academics, the arts and much more.
“Andrew meanwhile, gives the community at Westminster, its students and staff, a new source of daily inspiration.”
Saunders is part of the Beach Energy Youth Leadership program which is one of the Beach Energy AFC Indigenous programs aimed at using sport and mentoring to engage and educate Aboriginals youths, providing them with the experience, skills and knowledge required to seek independence, self-determination and the individual capacity to achieve their goals.
Run by Andrew McLeod and wife Rachael the Beach Energy McLeod Challenge, Beach Energy Aboriginal Youth Leadership Program, and the Future Leaders Program are unique in that they focus on continued mentoring of participants from across South Australia.
Saunders was given the huge honour of tossing the coin before the Adelaide Crows v Gold Coast Suns match at Adelaide Oval during AFL Indigenous Round.
He says he will forever be grateful for the opportunities he has been given by Westminster School and the Adelaide Football Club.
"Moving to Adelaide from Port Augusta and boarding at Westminster has been a huge step for me," Saunders said.
"It has given me the opportunity to get a good education and every chance to realise my dreams."
Not only has Saunders education benefitted from the move but his sporting prowess as a budding young boxer has also benefitted with Saunders recently winning the Golden Gloves junior class at the prestigious national four day boxing competition held on the Gold Coast.
Saunders’ passion and natural talent for boxing was revealed when he embarked on a fitness program to lose weight. The remarkable level of dedication saw Saunders lose 30kg in 20 months.
It's that same drive and dedication which changed his life, that captured the attention of Adelaide Crows legend Andrew McLeod and inspires all at Westminster School daily.
