Kids in Adelaide’s southern suburbs have been given an extra reason to look forward to school today (Wednesday 4 February), with Port Adelaide players set to visit 18 primary schools – and up to 5,000 students – in the area.

The visits will spread from Reynella through to Moana and McLaren Vale, and include primary schools in country townships like Kangarilla and Clarendon.

At least two players will visit each of the 18 schools from 1.30pm to 2.30pm, ahead of the Power training at Hickinbotham Oval at Noarlunga from 4pm.

At the school visits the players will speak at assemblies, discussing their pathway from junior footballer to elite athlete and some of the challenges they have had along the way. This will include their decision to live a healthy lifestyle including regular physical activity, healthy eating and not smoking.

Power Chief Executive Mark Haysman said the venture south is the club’s first big community event for 2009.

“We look forward to visiting so many children in one afternoon,” Haysman said. “This is an extension of the Power’s Community Youth Program, through which we will visit more than 180 primary schools in 2009 with Adelaide Thunderbirds and Adelaide Lightning players.”

An Auskick clinic will follow Power training at 5.30pm, with South Adelaide FC to then train on the Oval from 6.15pm. An autograph session will close out the day.

“We appreciate the support of the South Adelaide Football Club for providing their facilities,” Haysman said.

A similar Power visit to schools in the northern suburbs is planned for March.