A GROUP of primary school students were treated to an AFL game day experience at the weekend as part of a new program Port Adelaide is involved in.
The Power Play program is aimed at driving grassroots engagement and inspiring the next generation of football stars.
As part of the program, players from Port Adelaide’s AFLW team have been running football clinics at primary schools across metropolitan Adelaide this term with more than 10000 students taking part in the structured clinics run over four weeks.
Among the players involved this term are Abbey Dowrick, Amelie Borg and Sachi Syme, as well as the recently drafted Alissa Brook and Shineah Goody.
Under a partnership with the SANFL and AFL, the players have been using the clinics to encourage participants to have fun while learning foundational football skills with a view to engaging children and their families and creating lifelong links to the game.
On Saturday, 50 students involved in the Power Play program were invited to Adelaide Oval to watch Port Adelaide do battle with Brisbane, with a few special surprises.
Before the first bounce, they got to meet AFL players Sam Powell-Pepper and Trent McKenzie and hear about their respective football journeys, before having a kick and catch in the indoor cricket centre.
“It is great to see the students having fun while growing their understanding of football and developing their basic skills,” said the General Manager of Power Community Limited, Jake Battifuoco.
“Our AFLW players are fantastic role models for our young participants, and the ideal people to run the Power Play clinics.
“It’s great to see how much excitement there when our players visit schools, and Saturday’s game-day experience was another way we can help encourage more children to be active and to develop a passion for footy.”
SANFL’s Head of Game Development Brad Humphrey welcomed the program’s launch.
“We know that participation in football offers considerably more than just playing our game – it helps increase social connection, personal development, and improves mental and physical health,” said Mr Humphrey.
“Through this partnership with the Port Adelaide Football Club and AFL, we aim to break down barriers to provide these positive outcomes to as many young South Australians as possible, regardless of their gender or cultural background.”
For more information on the program or to submit an expression of interest in having the Power Play program visit your school, contact GameDevelopment@sanfl.com.au.
