The champions of this year’s Playford Tennis International tournament will be presented with trophies designed by two students from Playford International College.
Year 12 students, Courtney Hussey and Aaliyah Rule-Stevens used their own artistic flare to create unique and colourful designs on the tennis trophies, that reflect their Aboriginal culture and storytelling.
Courtney said she is getting more serious with her art.
“I’ve always been interested in art but now I am getting a lot better. And this opportunity gives me a great sense of pride because it is something I have finished. I am always starting new projects but to see this finished and being a part of something so big, it is surreal,” she said.
Courtney’s trophy design is about celebration and bringing people together.
“I came up with this because the elements are about bringing us together. Like the food, the witchetty grubs and honey-ants and berries, because food brings people together and then there are the people sitting around and chatting in the circles.
“A sports match means everyone is together and cheering so I tried to represent that and make it a celebration,” she said.
Aaliyah said being recognised for her work encourages her to keep going.
“I’m pretty happy that to see my work up somewhere.
“It helps me to feel more confident about my culture and my artwork. I have done some painting for a soccer team and designed a guernsey for them.
“It means a lot to me that people are acknowledging our culture and it’s great to see indigenous symbols on clothing, trophies, billboards. it just makes me want to keep making art,” she said.
The Trophies are to be presented to the champions at this year’s finals.
Courtney and Aaliyah both said they are excited about the possibility of the trophies heading overseas.
“That makes me feel really good because it means we are spreading our culture across the world and we are showing them our great artwork and our symbols and what it means to us,” said Courtney.
Aaliyah said “it is cool to know that someone, whoever wins, is going to take them home and appreciate them. Sometimes you do art, and it just sits in your room, and so this is so great to be recognised”.
