The free Growing for Gold come-and-try sport and activity sessions are part of the State Government’s $75 million commitment to get kids off screens.

Growing for Gold is among several State Government initiatives getting kids off screens and into other, healthier activities including the expansion of the sports voucher scheme and free before and after school activities.

With children spending increasing amounts of time on phones, tablets and gaming devices, the initiative focuses on creating more opportunities for young people to be physically active by trying new sporting and recreational activities.

Building on an existing model successfully operating in Adelaide’s northern suburbs, the program, for children 3-16 years, will run in metro Adelaide, Port Lincoln and the Riverland over the upcoming holidays before rolling out across the state in 2027.

Growing for Gold started in the City of Salisbury in 1999 and now operates in four northern metropolitan council areas - City of Port Adelaide Enfield, City of Playford, City of Salisbury and City of Tea Tree Gully.

Sessions will be held in the above local government areas along with pilot programs in Port Lincoln, the Riverland and metropolitan Adelaide. These include:

• Port Lincoln on 26-30 September 2026
• Riverland on 6 October 2026
• SA Athletics Stadium on 2 October 2026 (Athletics)
• SA Athletics Stadium 9 October 2026 (Olympic / Paralympic sports)

To register and for a full list of sites visit Growing for Gold

Quotes attributable to Mayor Gillian Aldridge OAM, City of Salisbury

Growing for Gold was born in the City of Salisbury back in 1999 and has continued to serve our community and clubs well.

It was a good idea then and it's a great idea now.

I am thrilled that the program is expanding to reach children right across the state, with the support of the state government.

Quotes attributable to Mayor Claire Boan, City of Port Adelaide Enfield

We’ve been proud to support the Growing for Gold Program for 10 years with our partners at Cities of Salisbury, Playford and Tea Tree Gully, and witness the real opportunities it has created for local children.

It’s great to see the State Government expanding this successful program state-wide enabling more children access to the physical and social benefits of being part of a sporting club.

Quotes attributable to Mayor Glenn Docherty, City of Playford

Councils across northern Adelaide have driven Growing for Gold, creating more opportunities for young people to get involved in sport while helping our local clubs grow and thrive.

We’re really proud of what we’ve built together. Growing for Gold has become something special, helping remove barriers to participation and giving more kids the chance to experience the benefits of sport.

We look forward to seeing the State Government’s investment build on what we have achieved with our sporting clubs and give even more children across South Australia the opportunity to get involved in sport.

Quotes attributable to Mayor Marijka Ryan, City of Tea Tree Gully

Growing for Gold has been a fantastic collaborative program between Salisbury, where the program originated, PAE, Playford and the City of Tea Tree Gully.

It has provided real benefits for sporting clubs, helping to increase participation while giving participants the opportunity to try a range of sports.

It is a long-standing program that is highly valued by council staff and sporting clubs across the north, and we are excited to see it grow further with the State Government taking on the program and building on its success.

Quote attributable to Ashley Thompson, President, North East Hockey Club

We have been involved in the Growing for Gold program for three years now, and it continues to be a fantastic opportunity to introduce children to hockey in a fun, welcoming and inclusive environment.  

Seeing children build confidence, develop new skills and enjoy being active is incredibly rewarding.  

We hope many of the participants discover a lifelong love of many sports, and hopefully hockey is one of them!