Walking through the doors of the Port Adelaide Football Club you’re immediately, and unsurprisingly, surrounded by the intensity of the game, and the history of the club.

As the home and away season rolls on each year, staff ride the waves of on-field performance and feel the intensity and pressure that comes with working as part of a team in a high-performance environment.

But most importantly, as you immerse yourself deeper in the club, and reach the other side of the players, coaches, gym, and medical rooms, you’ll find two inspiring female leaders who are harnessing the power of it all to drive change and empower the next generation of women.

Ahead of International Women’s Day we sat down with Christine Glenn and Georgie Jaques, two leaders of the club’s not-for-profit arm Power Community Limited (PCL), to learn more about how the power of sport fuels their passion for change.

To start the conversation, we asked both women to reflect on this year’s theme ‘for all women and girls: rights, equality and empowerment’.

It prompted Ms. Glenn to reflect on challenges she faced growing up, and subsequently what now drives her professionally.

“This theme is incredibly important to me. It reflects something I’m truly passionate about and grateful to advocate for through the work we do at Power Community Limited,” she said.

“Growing up, I witnessed firsthand how women and girls in my community often faced inequality, had their rights overlooked, or lacked awareness of the rights available to them.

“These barriers can lead to disempowerment, preventing them from reaching their full potential.  

“Empowerment begins with awareness, education, and the opportunity to thrive, and I’m committed to being part of that change”.

Georgie Jaques added what this year’s theme means to her by specifically reflecting on the importance of female empowerment.

“When I think of empowerment, I think of women being the knowledge holders and experts in addressing the social issues that create gender inequality and disadvantage,” she said.

“All women and girls, no matter their socio-economic status has the ability to lead and change the structural systems impacting their lives. 

“This year's theme is about creating platforms for women and girls to recognise that they are the change makers in issues that impact them and empower them to be the leaders of change, instead of waiting for someone else to do it for them”.

Since 2020, PCL have been running the Empowered program in schools across the state as part of the charity’s prevention of gender-based violence program streams.

Delivered by both Christine and Georgie and supported by the club’s AFLW players, the program empowers young women to make choices in their lives and their relationships with a greater understanding of the structural impacts of gendered expectations and family violence.

The program is also underpinned by a leadership event which promotes a supportive environment where students can network, learn from successful female leaders, break down gender stereotypes, and gain valuable insights into diverse fields.

When asked about the program and what fuels her passion in the classroom, Georgie Jaques firmly believes that education is the most powerful tool in creating the needed change.

“When young women are educated, they become empowered to make informed decision for themselves,” she said.

“The knowledge that is taught in Empowered allows for young females to become the experts of change for their own lives and communities. 

“Education is one of the most power tools a person can use to create the change they want to see.”

While Christine Glenn said understanding inequality, and creating opportunities for women to gain the confidence and skills to advocate for themselves is crucial.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to step into classrooms and have these meaningful conversations with young women and play a small role in supporting them to empower themselves,” she said.

“It’s about helping them recognise what inequality looks and feels like and equipping them with the confidence to champion change in their own environments.

“When I was in school, we didn’t have these conversations. We didn’t have visitors coming in to talk about these issues, and for many of us, understanding inequality and learning how to navigate these challenges was something we had to figure out on our own.

“That’s why I’m so proud of the work Power Community Limited continues to do in this space. Through programs like Empowered, we are creating opportunities for young women to gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to advocate for themselves and others.

“By harnessing the power of AFL, we’re not only addressing societal issues but also inspiring real change”.

As the conversation went on, one thing became clear – there is a lot more to this club than just football.

Off the field, there is a passionate team of people who effectively harness the unique power football to empower the next generation of young women, ensuring they don’t face the same challenges growing up.

Finally, to round out the impactful conversation, both women were asked to share one piece of advice they’d like to give their younger selves.

For Christine, it was about advocacy and finding confidence in your voice.

“If I could pass one piece of advice to young girls and women, it would be this: Have a voice, and don’t be afraid to use it,” she said.

“Advocate for yourself and others in positive ways. When women stand together and support one another, we can accomplish so much and bring our sisters along the journey with us.

“If you see or hear something that isn’t right, think about the impact you can have by challenging it in a way that feels safe for you.

“Change happens when we refuse to accept inequality as the norm. Until we, as a society, say that gender inequality has no place, we won’t see the progress we need. Keep speaking up, keep pushing forward, and never underestimate the power of your voice”.

For Georgie she’d like to tell her younger self to find her ‘why’ to establish her direction.  

“If I could give my younger self a piece of advice, I would tell myself that you have to know the reason and purpose for doing things you want to achieve.

“What's the why? Without a purpose you become lost in your direction”.