THE bye in the AFL season has allowed Power players to take a break and also visit over 10,000 students in regional communities as part of Power Community Ltd's Youth Program.

All Power players and a selection of female athletes were involved in the regional trips as part of the Power Community Youth Program. Some of the athletes flew to Ceduna, Kangaroo Island and Roxby Downs, while others drove to schools within a two hour radius of Adelaide including the Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley, Fleurieu Peninsula and the Murraylands.

The trip to Ceduna included the township of Koonibba, where Power Community Ltd have an ongoing relationship with the community. The trip by Power players Chad Wingard and Brendon Ah Chee included the Koonibba Aboriginal School and a coaching clinic at the Koonibba Football Club.

Jackson Trengove and Brett Ebert returned to Roxby Downs, making a small detour on the way to visit the students at Andamooka Primary School. State-league netballer Mel Rowland joined this trip as part of her ongoing employment in the program.

Players Robbie Gray and Angus Monfries visited three school campuses at Kangaroo Island and delivered positive messages about healthy lifestyle choices as well as completing a range of interactive activities and answering questions.

The message of “doing your best” was integrated into all the talks the players gave on the day and keeping the sessions as interactive as possible is one of the most important elements as it keeps the children engaged.

Power Community Ltd.’s Community Development Coordinator Michelle Cioffi visited Kangaroo Island with the boys and received an overwhelming response from the schools.

“The kids really love it and when these messages come from role models in the community, they really stick and the kids can focus on it a lot more,” Miss Cioffi said.

"The Youth Program is an important element to Power Community Ltd. as it allows Port Adelaide to get out into the community and reach fans that may not have an opportunity to interact with players and the club usually."

The Power Community Youth Program encourages young people to make positive lifestyle choices and embrace a healthy lifestyle. Key messages focused on nutrition, physical activity and the dangers of smoking are shared with younger students, while older students have the opportunity to shape the discussion and ask athletes about the choices they made while growing up.

The program is supported by Major Partners BHP Billiton and the South Australian Government, and Regional Partner Adelaide Airport Ltd. Staff from Adelaide Airport joined the athletes on the trip to Andamooka and Roxby Downs, while staff from BHP Billiton coordinated a coaching clinic for the Roxby community at the end of the school day