Aboriginal student Blayne O’Loughlin has found the flexibility of the SACE has helped him pursue his AFL football dream and thrive in his studies.

The 17-year-old Roma Mitchell Secondary College student has been selected for the NAB AFL All Stars squad, and plays for the under 18s team at North Adelaide.

A proud Arrente/Narungga man, Blayne studied Stage 2 subjects in Aboriginal Studies, Essential English, Interdisciplinary Learning and the Community, Integrated Learning, and completed a Certificate II in Business, and Certificate III in Sport and Recreation. 

At the same time, Blayne was part of the South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy (SAASTA) and a member of the SAASTA Aboriginal AFL Academy (AAA).

“The flexibility I have had in completing my SACE has enabled me to thrive with my education and build a base for lifelong learning,” Blayne said.

“I was accepted into the SAASTA Aboriginal AFL Academy, and it was there that I completed a Certificate III in Sport and Recreation. 

“The opportunity to do this through Roma Mitchell and also SAASTA created a flexible and engaging curriculum that was accommodating with completing my SACE.  

“COVID did have a bit of an impact on my learning as at times I was juggling three programs with SAASTA, The AAA, and also my school. 

“With all the work being different at SAASTA and the AAA, I had to spend a bit more time on my AAA work, which was more important as it would give me 60 stage 2 credits once the program is complete. 

“Juggling school was challenging at times as I sometimes would have Zoom calls for a lesson but I would be doing my SAASTA and AAA work on a day that I would be usually at one of these programs.”

Blayne hopes to pursue his AFL dream in 2021 but is also ready to begin his apprenticeship in civil construction.