When teacher Josh Hilditch first introduced the Multicultural Power Cup into his classroom a decade ago, it was a small pilot program built around a handful of learning activities and the universal language of sport. 

Ten years later, the program has changed thousands of young lives by using AFL as a vehicle to celebrate cultural diversity, foster belonging and create pathways into education and employment.  

For Hilditch, a PE teacher at Underdale High School who has been involved since day one, watching the program evolve has been just as rewarding as watching the students who have come through it. 

"Ten years ago, I was introduced to Alipate Carlile, he was a lovely guy and at that stage the program was sort of in its infancy. They were working out how it fit into schools, so we implemented it through a PE program at first,” Hilditch recalled. 

"It was pretty small in terms of content at the time, but it was nice to have that connection with the community. 

"As it's grown, it's become its own established subject. We've got 24 kids in our class this year, and there's plenty of content to work through, almost to the point where we've had to minimise one activity to bring another one in." 

Having been independently evaluated, the Multicultural Power Cup is an evidence-informed wellbeing program endorsed by major partner, the Department for Education, and uses football as the hook to engage students from culturally diverse backgrounds while exploring identity, leadership, culture and community.  

The program culminates in a carnival, careers expo and unforgettable game-day experiences at Adelaide Oval.  

Underdale High School, which is home to students from almost 100 different cultural backgrounds, has seen first-hand the impact those experiences can have. 

"Footy's the carrot, and it's all about the community that sits around that. It's very genuine. The people are genuine, it's a professional setup, but it's that down-to-earth nature of the club which I've fallen in love with. 

"Soccer is the number one binder because it's the world game, so for a lot of these kids this is their first taste of footy. 

"For them to have the opportunity not only to do the Multicultural Power Cup program, but to come to Alberton and then walk onto Adelaide Oval... some of them may never get those opportunities again. 

"Australia is their new home, and they're searching for community outside their own little hub and learning what it means to be an Australian, whatever that means to each of them. That multiculturalism, that's what Australia is." 

Over the past decade, countless stories have emerged from the program, but one continues to stand out for Hilditch. 

Long before he represented Australia as a Socceroo, Mohammed Touré was simply another student enjoying time with his classmates. 

"Mohamed Touré, current Socceroo, and the whole Touré family have gone through this program. All three brothers," Hilditch said. 

"Even when he was 15, he was already in a professional environment with Adelaide United, but he loved any chance he got to play with his mates – it didn't matter what sport. 

"So, this program was just heaven for him because he got the chance to play and do it with his mates. 

"Even now when I talk to him, he'll regularly come back to the school, and we'll talk about the Multicultural Power Cup. 

"He still talks about winning that nine-a-side carnival so many years ago. 

"He's played for Adelaide United and for Australia at the World Cup, but this program is still something that was important to him." 

While Touré's journey has reached the international stage, Hilditch believes the program's greatest successes are often found in quieter moments. 

He recalls one young Afghan refugee who designed the winning guernsey before taking part in the pre-match coin toss at Adelaide Oval. 

"She was so small, standing next to these giant players, and even the umpire was huge," he smiled. 

"The joy on her face... I'll never forget it. That was her first footy game, and she was skipping back to us off the oval with a beaming face." 

For Hilditch, those moments reinforce why the program matters. 

"I think this program is a gateway for them to build their life in Australia," he said. 

"It builds their confidence, and they're learning about Australian history, they're learning about what it means to be Australian now. This program gives them the platform to see that they are Australian, in a safe environment. 

"To have a carnival day where they can see other kids with similar backgrounds and experiences or recognise they're not the first one who doesn't know how to handball or kick a football – it's amazing." 

The impact extends well beyond the classroom. 

"I've had three or four of our students come through and complete the Port Adelaide Institute of Sport and Business," he said. 

"That's another pathway for them into life and the workforce. Again, that comes from the connection with Port Adelaide." 

As the Multicultural Power Cup celebrates its 10-year milestone, Hilditch says one memory continues to capture everything the program and Port Adelaide represent - meeting the late Russell Ebert. 

"I knew his accolades as a player and coach, but when I met him, he was just so warm and down to earth," Hilditch said. 

"He was royalty around here, but he was standing in line for a sausage, picking up rubbish and putting chairs away. 

"A year later he said, 'Hey Josh, how are you going? How are your kids?' He remembered I had a big family. That, for me, is Port Adelaide.” 

A decade after its humble beginnings, the Multicultural Power Cup continues to prove that while football may bring students together, it's the connections, confidence and sense of belonging they leave with that have the greatest impact.  

Over the years, the program has grown into an award-winning initiative that has engaged thousands of students from dozens of cultural backgrounds, celebrating diversity while helping young people build friendships, confidence and brighter futures through education and sport.