IN a year like no other, the Port Adelaide Football Club and its community arm Power Community Limited have enhanced their belief that sport provides an avenue to encourage participation, integration and diversity.
The Power Intercultural Program has met some challenges in 2020 but has been able to still bring all of the participating students together for the Power Intercultural Carnival, later than initially planned but bigger than ever.
The carnival which is being held at the Graduates Clubhouse in North Adelaide this Friday the 6th of November, will provide an opportunity for over 280 students from 11 schools to come together and celebrate the culmination of the program.
The students will participate in a nine-a-side football carnival and also an ‘Interactive Careers Expo” that will include organisations such as OTR, Nova, the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Welcoming Australia and many more.
As with previous years, each school will wear guernseys that their students have designed to showcase the individual identities and cultures at those schools.
One will be deemed to be the best design as voted by an independent panel. Last year the winning design was a bold Lion head with a mane filled with various flags representing harmony. It was designed by Sumayyah Momin from Pinnacle College.
For the first time, the families of participating students have also been invited to come down and enjoy some fun with a Family Festival from 4pm until 6pm with entertainment provided by Specky Events. There is also an opportunity to enjoy a free sausage sizzle which is always a popular attraction.
“The students and teachers have been outstanding with all the challenges that we have faced as a community throughout 2020,” Multicultural Programs Manager Alipate Carlile said.
“They have all embraced this year and have managed to stay connected to each other whilst learning more about themselves, their own cultures as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture.
“The Power Intercultural Program is about cultural diversity, building social cohesion and embracing diversity, which has been magnified this year due to the circumstances.
“The carnival will provide an opportunity for everyone involved to celebrate the completion of the program and showcase the power of sport in challenging stereotypes and breaking down social barriers.”
The Port Adelaide Football Club would like to thank the Australian Government – Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Social Services, the South Australian Government – Department for Education, OTR and Herbalife for their support.
To find out more about the program and register your interest in your school being involved in 2021 please contact Alipate Carlile at acarlile@pafc.com.au.
