Port Adelaide’s charity arm, Power Community Limited (PCL), has recently returned from delivering its Power to Thrive program internationally in Penang, Malaysia.
It marked the third time the PCL team, joined by AFL player Esava Ratugolea, travelled to Penang to support the children of Australian Defence Force families living overseas.
The initiative was first implemented by the club’s not-for-profit in 2017 and then again in 2019, with PCL returning in mid-October supported by funding from the Department for Defence.
The international expansion reflects the club’s long-standing commitment to the ADF and to meaningful community engagement beyond Australian borders.
General Manager of Power Community Limited Jake Battifuoco said the international expansion emphasises the importance of reaching ADF families located across the globe.
“We recognise that there are children from Defence Force families posted all over the world, so for us to have the opportunity to connect with them here in Penang is a great opportunity to break down those barriers of participation and provide them with some skills and tools to help them in times of need,” Mr Battifuoco said.
The program’s curriculum responds to the unique challenges faced by ADF children, including frequent school changes, disrupted friendships, academic interruptions, parental absence, and significant social and emotional impacts.
These challenges are enhanced when families are posted overseas, where isolation from extended support networks adds an extra layer of difficulty.
“We work really closely with the families and the ADF to develop a program that meets those needs and provides skills and tools to support wellbeing with a specific focus on gratitude, mindfulness, character strengths, and goal setting”.
The program draws on the lived experience of AFL players who regularly adapt to new environments in pursuit of their careers and taps into the club’s high performance and welfare teams to share meaningful strategies with participants.
“Having Esava on our trip has a significant impact on the young people involved whereby he shares a similar story of having to integrate into new environments, develop new friendships and navigate challenges throughout his AFL career,” he said.
“When the young people we work with can see their journeys reflected in our players' stories, it strengthens connection and amplifies program outcomes.
“We're in a really unique position using the power of sport and the Port Adelaide Football Club as an opportunity to bring people together, to educate them around tools and skills to build wellbeing and resilience. But ultimately, it's about building social connection and a sense of belonging, and we're really fortunate to be able to do that with the Australian community here in Penang.
“It’s been incredible to see the firsthand impact the program has had on the children, and it’s certainly something we hope to continue a regular basis in the future.
“I’d like to sincerely thank the Department of Defence for their ongoing support of our Power to Thrive program and the opportunity to expand internationally, it simply wouldn’t have been possible without their backing.”
PCL will continue its work within the ADF community through the Power to Thrive program and ADF Veterans programs which supports more than 300 veterans and their families in 2026 and beyond.