Footy was the focus for more than 500 female students as the Port Adelaide Football Club took its highly successful Girl Power program to schools yesterday.

Supported by the club’s Female Program Partner SGIC, Girl Power is aimed at school-aged girls with the view of introducing them to the game of football and increasing their involvement and understanding of opportunities in football.

The aim of the program is to:

• Increase football education and playing opportunities for school aged girls.
• Provide participation and talent pathways for females.
• Expose female students to football as a sport they can participate in, enjoy and excel at.
• Contribute to the adoption of a healthy and active lifestyle

Power players visited 14 schools around metropolitan Adelaide, with a total of 30 players involved in the visits. Players spoke with students about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and the role football can play in this, ran a 30-minute skills clinic and signed autographs for their excited fans.

Girl Power is one of a number of female engagement strategies adopted by the Power, which include Women in Power and the major sponsorship of the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Port Adelaide President Greg Boulton said it was important to lead the way with the education of young South Australians, in particular females.

“Girl Power is a great initiative. In conjunction with the SANFL, we hope to continue to provide great education and opportunities in football for young females in this state,” Boulton said.

“Women make up around half our supporter base, so engaging our female supporters through programs such as Girl Power is vitally important.

“Programs such as Girl Power would not be possible without the support of SGIC, our Female Program Partner, and another great South Australian brand.”

SGIC State Manager Lee Jameson said the Port Adelaide Football Club’s strong support of diversity was highly valued.

“Like SGIC, the Port Adelaide Football Club is well known and highly regarded for its involvement with and support of the South Australian community at the grassroots level,” Ms Jameson said.

“The club has such a strong community focus, and it has shown remarkable leadership in its support of young women, particularly through its sponsorship of the Adelaide Thunderbirds and the development of the innovative Girl Power initiative – and we’re proud to be a supporter.”

Schools involved in yesterday’s visit were Henley High, Marymount College, Tyndale, Gepps Cross, Nazareth College, West Beach, Our Lady of Sacred Heart, Mary Mackillop, Tea Tree Gully PS, Mt Carmel, Alberton PS, Our Lady Queen of Peace, Bowden Brompton School and St Marys.