South Australia’s Rural Youth Ambassadors (RYA) program offers year 11 students the opportunity to develop their leadership and youth agency skills, grow knowledge and provide a voice for young people from country communities.

Opportunities for country students through the RYA program

Over the course of a year the program offers student ambassadors the opportunity to:

• collaborate and connect with other passionate and diverse country students
• attend funded in-person forums in Adelaide
• work remotely with fellow ambassadors on addressing issues important to South Australian country students and young people
• meet with senior education stakeholders such as the Chief Executive, Department for Education, the Minister for Education, Training and Skills, and the Department’s Country Education Reference Group to discuss their challenges and ideas
• present at education workshops, forums and conferences.

Eligibility to participate in the program

Year 11 students from country communities can take part in the year-long program. The student will need endorsement from their parents or carers, and the school Principal.

Get involved in the program

Area and country high schools are invited to nominate students each year.

The 2023 program is full. Nominations for the 2024 program will open in term 1 2024.

Who runs the program

The RYA Program is run by the South Australian Area School Leaders Association (SAASLA) with the support from the Department for Education under the Country Education Strategy.