WHAT a thrill it was for so many children along the west coast of the state from Whyalla right up to Yalata to spend time with the Power playing group as part of Port Adelaide's 2014 Australia Post AFL Community Camp.
The players spent two days visiting schools, community centres and kindergartens across the region where they spoke to children about healthy eating, healthy lifestyles and, all importantly, about becoming a part of the Port Adelaide Football Club.
More than 5,500 children took part in Port Adelaide's community camp and some of them clearly had a connection with the boys.
Aaron Young, in particular, was very popular with young Charlee from the Whyalla Stuart Early Childhood Centre, with teammate Alipate Carlile noting the attention Aaron Young received from his new fan was not unlike being tagged by Kane Cornes.
Sadly, the players were unable to stay all day as part of a whirlwind tour of the regional school circuit, and tears were almost shed when the time came to say goodbye.
But the news is good for the club, which has a strong presence on the Eyre Peninsula thanks to its long-established roots in the region throughout its SANFL history, with many young supporters showing their love and passion for the club.
A few new supporters may have been recruited as well!
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Charlee’s embracing of the Port Adelaide (or Aaron Young in particular) was typical of the support shown across the region.
Charlee made a new friend during the Australia Post AFL Community Camp, so did Aaron Young.
Hundreds of children and their families turned out for an Auskick clinic in the heart of Whyalla on Monday night with about 30 players including captain Travis Boak and leadership players Hamish Hartlett, Tom Jonas, Matthew Lobbe and Robbie Gray involved.
The kids then lined up for forty minutes as players signed autographs and many also had photos taken with their heroes before enjoying the traditional sausage in bread dinner.
On the central Eyre Peninsula, locals welcomed home Port Adelaide's AFL rookie and reigning A.R. McLean Medallist, Sam Gray.
The 22-year-old ran serveral drills at training for his local club Rudall – now Eastern Ranges – after the club’s amalgamation with the nearby Cleve Football Club.
It was a great night for Gray and fellow country boy Jack Hombsch (from Roxby Downs), and for the local community.
Further west, young players including Chad Wingard, Tom Clurey, Jake Neade, Mason Shaw visited towns including Streaky Bay, Ceduna and Penong with the communities involved appreciating their visits.
It’s the first time the club has broken into three different groups across the vast region, allowing the players to see more people and locals to have better and increased exposure to the Port Adelaide Footbal Club.
The players were constantly stopped in the street for a chat and to sign autographs.
'Selfies' too were popular, with defender Lewis Stevenson drawing particular interest at Samaritan College in Whyalla.
Lewy found a side exit to escape was the best option.
The Eyre Peninsula is already a great breeding ground for Port Adelaide players and supporters but this latest visit is sure to reinforce the club’s strong connection to this great part of South Australia.
What an honour and pleasure it was to be involved with this year's Australia Post AFL Community Camp in my old stamping ground with a bunch of young athletes who all understand the importance of footy to the state's regions.
The Port Adelaide Football Club wishes to thank the communities of Ceduna, Cleve, Cowell, Karcultaby, Kimba, Koonibba, Lock, Penong, Port Neill, Rudall, Streaky Bay, Ungarra, Whyalla, Whyalla Norrie and Whyalla Stuart, Wirrulla, Wudinna, Yalata and schools Ceduna Area School, Cleve Area School, Cowell Area School, Crossways Lutheran School, Edward John Eyre High School, Fisk Street Primary School, Hinks Avenue Primary School, Karcultaby Area School, Kimba Area School, Koonibba Aboriginal School, Lock Area School, Long Street Primary, Memorial Oval Primary School, Miltaburra Area School, Nicolson Avenue Junior Primary, Norrie Stuart Kindergarten, Our Lady of Help Primary School, Penong Primary, Port Kenny Primary School, Port Neill Primary School, Samaritan College, St Teresa's Primary, Streaky Bay Area School, Stuart High School, Sunrise Christian School, Ungarra Primary School, Whyalla High School, Whyalla Special School, Whyalla Stuart Early Childhood Centre, Whyalla Stuart Primary School, Whyalla Town Primary School, Wudinna Area School and Yalata Anangu School.
