PORT Adelaide’s Empowering Youth Program has taken out a $50,000 community grant to encourage young people to lead healthier lifestyles.

As the only South Australian entry shortlisted in the running for a 2016 Medibank Community Fund Grant, Empowering Youth took home the honour ahead of several other community programs across Australia.

The funds will be put towards a newly redeveloped program in 2016, which will focus on helping disengaged students to develop leadership capabilities, make positive decisions, be more physically active and lead generally healthier lifestyles.

Senior youth programs manager Ross Wait said the $50,000 grant will be invaluable in reaching more young people across South Australia.

“It’s a fantastic result for the Empowering Youth program, the club and the wider community,” he said.

“The funding will allow us to expand our programs to disengaged students in the northern suburbs, while allowing us access to resources for student work books, interactive programs and physical activity equipment.”

By using elite athletes to deliver messages around the physical, emotional and social benefits of sport, the Empowering Youth program aims to involve young people in physical activity on a weekly basis, help them seek work experience/ job opportunities and connect them with local sporting clubs or recreational activities.

With the grant winners decided by public vote, Wait says the club is absolutely humbled by the support from the Port Adelaide community.

“To everyone who voted for us - thank you so much for supporting our program…we couldn’t have achieved this without your help,” he said.

“Thanks to your support, we can now reach more young people and continue working towards a healthier, more active community.”

You can read more about the club's Empowering Youth Program here.