The South Australian Aboriginal Sports Training Academy (SAASTA) is a unique sporting and educational program that provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students with the skills, opportunities and confidence to Dream, Believe and Achieve in the areas of sport, education, employment and healthy living.

The SAASTA program at John Pirie Secondary School targets students from years 10-12 who are studying the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE). Subjects delivered within the program include: Intergrated Learning - Health and Fitness and Certificate III in Sport and Recreation.

Students are given the opportunity throughout the year to participate in state-wide events including sports clinics, intensive TAFE blocks, leadership clinics, career expos and cultural workshops. A highlight of these activities is the Aboriginal Power Cup, which is a 9-a-side football carnival managed by the Port Adelaide Football Club in conjunction with SAASTA.