South Australian children will have the chance to step away from screens and explore new sporting activities during the Term 3 school holidays, with the Malinauskas Government launching free Growing for Gold come-and-try sessions. The initiative forms part of a broader $75 million commitment designed to encourage healthier and more active lifestyles among young people.
The program is aimed at children aged between three and 16, providing opportunities to experience different sports and recreational activities without the usual cost barriers. Organisers hope the sessions will encourage young participants to become more physically active while helping them discover activities they may continue through local sporting clubs.
Growing for Gold has been operating successfully in Adelaide’s northern suburbs since 1999, beginning in the City of Salisbury before expanding into neighbouring council areas. The established program currently involves the Cities of Port Adelaide Enfield, Playford, Salisbury and Tea Tree Gully, with local councils and sporting organisations helping introduce children to a wide range of activities.
The state government is now building on that northern Adelaide model by expanding the initiative to additional parts of South Australia. During the upcoming school holidays, sessions will operate across metropolitan Adelaide as well as pilot locations in Port Lincoln and the Riverland, before the program is planned to expand statewide in 2027.
The holiday schedule includes activities in Port Lincoln from 26 to 30 September 2026, while a Riverland session is planned for 6 October. Children interested in athletics can attend a session at the SA Athletics Stadium on 2 October, with another event featuring Olympic and Paralympic sports scheduled for 9 October.
The initiative is one component of the Malinauskas Government’s broader efforts to reduce excessive screen use among children. Other measures include expanding the state’s sports voucher arrangements and providing free before- and after-school activities, giving families more options for keeping children engaged in physical and social activities.
Rhiannon Pearce said the program was intended to provide enjoyable alternatives to spending time on phones, tablets and gaming devices. She highlighted the broader benefits of regular physical activity, including improvements in children’s physical health, mental wellbeing, social development, confidence and learning.
The northern Adelaide councils that helped establish and maintain Growing for Gold have welcomed the expansion. Salisbury Mayor Gillian Aldridge OAM said the program had continued to provide opportunities for local children and sporting clubs since its creation more than two decades ago, describing the statewide rollout as an important development for young people across South Australia.
Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Claire Boan said her council had supported the program for a decade alongside Salisbury, Playford and Tea Tree Gully. She said the expansion would allow more children to experience the physical and social advantages of becoming involved with sporting clubs and activities.
Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty credited northern Adelaide councils with creating opportunities for young people while supporting the growth of local clubs. He said the program had helped reduce participation barriers and given children the opportunity to experience sport, with the state investment expected to extend those benefits to more communities.
Tea Tree Gully Mayor Marijka Ryan also described the initiative as a successful collaboration between the four northern councils. She said Growing for Gold had helped sporting organisations increase participation while allowing children to sample different activities, and welcomed the opportunity to build on the program’s longstanding success.
The benefits are also being recognised by local sporting organisations. Ashley Thompson, President of North East Hockey Club, said the club had participated in the program for three years and found it an effective way to introduce children to hockey in a welcoming environment. The club hopes participants will develop confidence and skills while discovering activities they may enjoy for years.
With the statewide expansion still developing, the upcoming holiday sessions are intended to provide an accessible first step for families looking for alternatives to screen-based entertainment. By connecting children directly with sporting clubs and community facilities, the program aims to turn short-term holiday participation into longer-lasting involvement in physical activity.
Families can register for the Growing for Gold sessions and view the full list of participating locations through the official program registration information. The South Australian Government expects the broader rollout in 2027 to give children across the state greater access to sport, recreation and the social connections that come with being part of a local club.
