The finals of the inaugural McLeod Challenge were held as a curtain-raiser to the Adelaide Football Club’s final-ever game on AAMI Stadium, against Melbourne on August 24, 2013.
The McLeod Challenge involves a nine-a-side male & female competition for year 8 & 9 Aboriginal youth across South Australia. The competition provides the Club with a crucial first point of contact in developing relationships with Aboriginal youth.
In 2013, the Club targeted two specific areas in which to concentrate their efforts and engage students. The chosen areas were the Far North region and Metropolitan Adelaide.
The McLeod Challenge pilot program commenced with a carnival in Whyalla on July, 31, 2013. The second carnival took place at Max Basheer Reserve on August, 14, 2013. The winners from the two carnivals then played off for the McLeod Challenge Cup in the AFL curtain-raiser.
The Metro All-Stars claimed the Boys Title, defeating Port Augusta Secondary School by 33 points. Roma Mitchell Secondary College came out on top in the Girls decider, accounting for Port Augusta Secondary School by 41 points.
In all, the day went extremely well, with students from each of the schools enjoying the opportunity to play on AAMI Stadium and making a lifetime of memories.
The Adelaide Football Club would like to thank all the schools, students and everyone involved for their participation in the inaugural Adelaide Football Club McLeod Challenge. We are very excited about the development of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island programs and we look forward to building on these relationships in the near future.
Next year, McLeod and the Club are hoping the McLeod Challenge will involve more than 750 youth across South Australia.
Social media has proved to be a useful resource, and still continues to assist us with raising program awareness and building student relationships. We would encourage anyone interested in the McLeod Challenge to ‘Like’ the AFC Indigenous Programs page and keep up to date with the latest news and pictures. The page is located at https://www.facebook.com/AFCIndigenousPrograms
McLeod Challenge Final Results
BOYS GRAND FINAL
Metro All Stars 9. 8 (62)
Port Augusta Secondary School 4. 4 (29)
GIRLS GRAND FINAL
Roma Mitchell Secondary College 7. 11 (53)
Port Augusta Secondary School 1.6 (12)
Schools Involved
Wiltja
Port Augusta Secondary School
Roma Mitchell Secondary College
Meningie Area School
Le Fevre High School
Immanuel College
St Michael’s College
Thomas More College
Regional Challenge Results
Bennett Oval, Whyalla
BOYS GRAND FINAL
Port Augusta Secondary School 11.1 (67)
Stuart High School 4.8 (32)
GIRLS GRAND FINAL
Port Augusta Secondary School 8.3 (51)
Caritas & Samaritan College 4.2 (26)
Schools Involved
Port Augusta Secondary School
Stuart High School
Caritas College
Samaritan College
John Pirie Secondary School
Hawker Area School
Quorn Area School
Metropolitan Challenge Results
Max Basheer Reserve, West Lakes
BOYS GRAND FINAL
Metro All Stars 9.4 (58)
Salisbury High School 9.3 (57)
GIRLS GRAND FINAL
Roma Mitchell Secondary College 7.7 (49)
Metro All Stars 3.4 (22)
Schools Involved
Wiltja
Fremont Elizabeth City High School
Roma Mitchell Secondary College
Craigmore High School
Meningie Area School
Trinity College
Le Fevre High School
Immanuel College
Xavier College
Salisbury High School
Thomas More College
Mannum Community College
Sacred Heart College
St Michael’s College
Henley High School
