During Term 3, The Power to be Positive Program has been re-launched to Australian Defence Force students with a new format.

Usually the program is delivered on one day at Alberton Oval with all schools involved coming together. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the program has been altered to individual school visits.

This year there are 18 schools involved in the program with over 250 students participating. The program is for students from years 4-12 and this year’s topics include identifying and using character strengths, changing the way we think, gratitude, mindfulness, growing from challenges, goal setting and positive thinking.

Led by Youth Programs Coordinator Will Northeast along with past Port Adelaide greats Alipate Carlile and Russell Ebert, the team has visited four schools so far this term from Largs Bay Primary School all the way to Nairne Primary School.

With the current players out of action for community visits this year, the Community Team organised to record messages from the players specifically for the defence force students in which they talk about relocation, making new friends, gratitude and ways to stay positive.

“Having the players record these important messages for the students still enables us to have player interaction for our programs and the students really get something out of hearing all the workbook topics talked about by the likes of Robbie Gray and Connor Rozee,” Northeast said.

“Having the players talk about their stories of resilience and relocation really connects with the students.”

The Power to be Positive Program will conclude in October, finishing off with a leadership event held at Adelaide Oval for selected high school students.