PORT ADELAIDE has launched a new community program and two fundraising initiatives to mark 20 consecutive years of hosting an AFL game during Anzac Appeal Round.
On Friday, April 26, Port Adelaide will take on St Kilda under lights at Adelaide Oval, with the club this week announcing a new Power Community Limited (PCL) program dedicated to supporting veterans in South Australia.
To honour the round, and importantly the 165 past and current players who served in the military, the club’s not-for-profit arm has launched ‘Power to Thrive’, a new program to support Australian Defence Force (ADF) families, designed to run in parallel with its already established ADF Veterans program.
150 defence family members from across South Australia attended the first Power to Thrive special event at Alberton Oval on Tuesday to connect with other families, participate in an AFL skills session with Port Adelaide’s AFL and AFLW stars, and enjoy a tour of the new MG High Performance Centre.
Carefully crafted as a comprehensive resilience and wellbeing program for children whose parents serve in the military, the Power to Thrive curriculum offers an array of tools and resources to address the complex needs of military families while also providing a platform for connection.
Drawing inspiration from Port Adelaide’s football development program for first to fourth year players, the program themes are linked with strategies employed by elite athletes, emphasising the importance of mental fortitude and determination.
To further support this important work, the club has also launched a limited-edition hat, with $10 from each hat sold donated to PCL’s ADF Veterans program.
The design was inspired by Port Adelaide AFLW player, Maria Moloney, who balances her professional sporting career at Port Adelaide with serving her country with the Royal Australian Air Force.
The limited-edition cap sold out online within an hour of launching on Friday, with a very limited number available for purchase at the game.
Additionally in 2024, the Anzac Appeal badge will feature on both the front and back of Port Adelaide’s traditional home guernsey.
The player-issued guernseys will be auctioned off after the game, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going back into PCL’s ADF Veterans program, and RSL South Australia.
Ahead of the first bounce on Friday night, the club will also continue the long-standing tradition of hosting the Anzac Day Challenge Cup between the ADF All-stars and the Australian Combined Emergency Services starting from 4:45pm.
Fans can expect a special Anzac observance ceremony from 7pm, with 20 children from ADF families forming the Guard of Honour.
Tickets for Port Adelaide Anzac Appeal Round clash against St. Kilda on Friday, April 26 are still available.
The Power to Thrive program received Defence Community Grant funding from Defence Member and Family Support, a branch of the Commonwealth Department of Defence.
