Through the free Growing for Gold come-and-try program, 167 sessions were held across two weeks, with close to 3,000 young people registering to try their hand at a range of sports and activities across metropolitan and regional South Australia, including the Riverland and Port Lincoln.

From athletics and taekwondo to pickleball, golf, volleyball, calisthenics and lacrosse, the program has given children the opportunity to try sports they may not otherwise have had the chance to experience.

One of the final sessions of the Term 3 school holidays was held at the SA Athletics Stadium, where children aged 5-12 could have a go at a range of sports in a fun, multi-sport session.

They were also given a glimpse of where sport can lead, with Olympic beach volleyballer Chris McHugh and wheelchair basketballer Lucinda Bueti joining the session to share their experiences and encourage the next generation to get active.

The Growing for Gold program is being delivered as part of the State Government’s $76 million election commitment to help get children off screens and into more active and healthy pursuits.

It is one of several initiatives being rolled out, alongside the expansion of the Sports Vouchers Plus scheme and free before and after school activities.

The program builds on an existing model that has been successfully operating in Adelaide’s northern suburbs since 1999 and will be rolled out in more areas across the state from 2027 for children aged 3-16.

South Australian children will have more opportunities to get involved in Growing for Gold in 2027. Sign up to our mailing list to be among the first to hear about upcoming sessions and registration opportunities.

Quotes attributable to Olympic Beach Volleyballer Chris McHugh

I’ve been involved in sport my whole life, starting in gymnastics before finding volleyball through a mini volleyball program at Torrensville Primary School, partly to get out of clarinet lessons on a Wednesday afternoon.

Every sport teaches you something different, whether it’s hand-eye coordination, strategic thinking, teamwork or understanding where your body is in space. Sport is also an incredible vehicle for personal growth, teaching resilience, teamwork and how to push through challenges.

We know how important sport is for our physical and mental wellbeing. Your journey might take you to the Olympic Games or World Championships, but it doesn’t have to. If you’re enjoying the challenge, having fun and making friends along the way, that’s what matters.

Quotes attributable to Wheelchair Basketballer Lucinda Bueti

I got involved in wheelchair basketball via a Paralympics Australia come and try day at The Lights Community and Sports Centre. It’s a real full circle moment when I go to those events and remember my first time coming out and having a go, to now providing that opportunity for others.

The benefit to trying different sports and activities is that it allows you to get a better understanding of what is out there. It also provides the opportunity to try things that you may not have thought about trying before.

Participation in sport can lead to so many different possibilities both on and off the court. Since being involved I have gotten into sports admin and have built a career around doing something that I love. I get the opportunity to make sure others get the chance to experience being a part of a community.