Growing for Gold is back with a host of free come and try events happening throughout the October school holidays at local sporting clubs.

One of our clubs taking part in Growing for Gold this year is Central United Sports Club in Elizabeth Vale, which is the only club in Playford offering come and try events for both its Aussie rules football and cricket club.

Central United chairperson and secretary Rhiannon Fenwick said the club decided to participate in the Growing for Gold program to try and boost its junior league numbers.

“We’ve had some success with other programs like Auskick and Woolworths Cricket Blast and now it’s time to expand on this and encourage more kids in our local community to join our small club,” she said.

Joining a small club like Central United has its benefits says Rhiannon, “we are able to connect with everyone and it is a much more personal approach.”

“We have many members who have had parents play back years ago or have played from juniors right through to seniors and now they are bringing their children out onto the field.”

Mayor Glenn Docherty said Central United is one of the many fantastic clubs dotted across our city who are offering the popular Growing for Gold program.

“Central United has a long history in Playford and it’s great to see them providing opportunities for young people to experience AFL and cricket in their club environment,” said Mayor Docherty.

“Across Playford, there are 11 sports clubs offering the Growing for Gold program and I encourage families to look at the activities on offer and register for as many sports as possible – it could very well be the making of our future athletes and lifelong friendships.”

Growing for Gold was established in 1999 in the lead up to the Sydney Olympics, its purpose was to introduce kids to a variety of sports while helping clubs connect with new members.

In 2020, City of Playford joined the program, partnering with neighbouring councils, including the City of Salisbury and the City of Port Adelaide Enfield.

To get involved, simply pick the session you want to try for free from the Growing for Gold website, then come along and give it a go.

Anyone who joins the club after participating receives a $40 SportsPower voucher to help set them up on their sporting journey.

Participant registrations are now open and close on 25 September 2023. All come and try events kick off from Saturday 30 September 2023.

Check out Central United’s event dates below. Both AFL and cricket are combined into each session.

• Tuesday 3 October 2023 5:30pm to 6:30pm
• Thursday 5 October 2023 5:30pm to 6:30pm
• Thursday 12 October 2023 5:30pm to 6:30pm

Central United clubrooms are located on 90 Trimmer Road, Elizabeth Vale within Mofflin Reserve.

Council is currently in the process of upgrading the southern part of Mofflin into a play space and therapeutic park. This new development will serve as a space for families and players associated with Central United, while also complementing the nearby health services and Lyell McEwin Hospital.