Power Up Kids

28/08/2026

🏆 GRAND FINAL WEEKEND IS HERE! 🏆

What an incredible weekend for junior AFL.

Today and tomorrow, Southport Sharks Junior AFL will help host the 2026 Maccas South East Queensland Junior & Youth Grand Finals, bringing together young footballers, families, coaches, volunteers and clubs for one of the biggest weekends on the community football calendar. 🏉

Across South East Queensland, more than 2,000 boys and girls will compete across 51 Grand Finals after an entire season of training, teamwork, commitment and determination.

For the young players running onto the field this weekend, this is about so much more than a result.

It’s about friendships.
It’s about belonging.
It’s about teamwork.
It’s about supporting your mates, handling the highs and lows, and creating memories that can last a lifetime. ❤️

Can We Change and Power Up Kids wish every player and every club competing this weekend the very best of luck.

We also want to give a massive thank you to all of the volunteers, the incredible team from AFL Queensland, and every person who gives up their time behind the scenes to make a weekend like this possible.

From organising fixtures and grounds, helping teams and families, coordinating games, umpiring, volunteering, setting up, packing down and doing all the countless little things that most people never see — this weekend simply does not happen without you.

And of course, thank you to all the parents, coaches, team managers, club officials and supporters who have backed these kids throughout the entire season.

Whether you finish the weekend with a premiership medal around your neck or not, simply reaching a Grand Final is something every one of these young players should be incredibly proud of.

Good luck to everyone taking to as the field — and enjoy every second of it. 🏆🏉

Together we can change everything.

27/08/2026

🏉❤️ THAT’S A WRAP — CAN WE CHANGE AFL VOLUNTEER REWARD PROGRAM 2026 ❤️🏉

What an incredible season.

Our final four clubs to run out the 2026 Can We Change AFL Volunteer Reward Program were the Brunswick Valley Bulldogs Junior AFC Murwillumbah Vulcans AFL Club , Byron Magpies Junior AFL Club and Kingscliff Dolphins Junior AFL Club — bringing to a close a year that has reminded us exactly why this program means so much.

First, we want to say an enormous thank you to the Gold Coast Suns for once again getting behind this program and helping us recognise the incredible people who give so much to junior football.

A very special thank you to Wendy Marshall , D’Art and the wonderful team for their support throughout the season.

And what a year it has been for the SUNS.

Wendy and the team helped the Gold Coast SUNS reach an extraordinary milestone of 30,000 members before the AFLW season had even begun — a new club record and an incredible achievement for a club that continues to grow alongside its community.

But this program has always been about something much bigger than football.

❤️ Volunteers are the heart of AFL football.

They are the mums, dads, grandparents, coaches, managers, committee members, canteen helpers, runners and supporters who turn up week after week.

They give their time.

They give encouragement.

They give kids confidence.

And most importantly, they give the next generation of children the opportunity to simply enjoy playing the game they love.

This season also showed just how powerful football clubs can be when they come together for people beyond the boundary line.

Through the Connect2Home collections, participating clubs helped collect an extraordinary 10,431 items — and every single one of those items went directly towards helping people doing it tough across the Gold Coast.

Other clubs chose individual charities and causes close to their hearts, and along the way those collections supported countless people and families during some of the most difficult periods of their lives.

There are so many stories behind those donations, but there is one from this year’s Connect2Home campaign that we will never forget.

One of our collections involved junior teams bringing in nappies and essential items for families in need.

But during that time, a group of women within one of our football communities learned that one of their fellow club members was going through an unimaginably difficult period after receiving heartbreaking news and losing her little one.

They surrounded her.

They supported her.

They stood beside her.

And in the middle of their own heartbreak, that community still found a way to turn love into something that could help so many other people.

It was one of those moments that reminds you that community isn’t simply about where you live.

Community is what people do for one another when somebody needs them most.

That is what this season has shown us again and again.

We already knew we lived in one of the most beautiful parts of the world — but it is the people who make this place truly special.

To every club that participated.

To every volunteer who was recognised.

To every junior player who helped collect something.

To every family who donated.

To every coach, committee member and supporter who encouraged their club to get involved.

And to every charity and community organisation doing the hard work on the ground every single day…

Thank you.

It has been an absolute honour for Power Up Kids and Can We Change to deliver the Junior AFL Volunteer Reward Program again in 2026.

We are incredibly proud of what our football community achieved together.

And we’re already looking forward to 2027.

Bigger. Better. More clubs. More volunteers recognised. More people helped.

Because when a community comes together, there really isn’t much it can’t change.

❤️🏉 Together We Can Change Everything. 🏉❤️

21/08/2026

✏️ STATIONERY AID IS AT THE HELENSVALE FARMERS MARKET! 📚

Our Stationery Aid collection will be at the Helensvale Farmers Market for the next five weeks, giving our community the opportunity to donate new, excess or lightly used stationery.

From pencils, pens and exercise books to calculators, art supplies, headphones and more—your donations will help provide local children and families with the educational supplies they need.

Simply look for the colourful red Stationery Aid bin at the market and place your donations inside.

A huge thank you to The Helensvale Farmers Market for supporting this community initiative, and to the Kollosche Community Fund for helping us make it possible.

Every donation, big or small, can make a real difference. 💚

Together we can change everything.

06/08/2026

💙 HOMELESSNESS WEEK | CONNECT2HOME 2026 💙

Yesterday, at the annual Connect2Home event, officially brought the 2026 campaign to a close.

As we recognise Homelessness Week, we reflect on what can be achieved when an entire community comes together to support people doing it tough.

This year, Power Up Kids and Can We Change was incredibly proud to partner with the GCHN Inc to help deliver our part of the Connect2Home campaign.

Together, we set a goal of collecting 10,000 essential items through just one of our community collection programs.

We’re proud to say we didn’t just achieve that goal—we exceeded it.

🎉 10,431 essential items were collected through our campaign.

That incredible result was made possible by:
🏉 Our 10 AFL clubs
💙 Sam O'Connor MP and his team
💙 Meaghan Scanlon MP and her team
🛍️ The Helensvale Farmers Market
❤️ Kollosche Community Fund, whose support helped make this campaign possible.

But that’s only part of the story.

Across the 22 collection bins located in libraries and community centres throughout the Gold Coast, the community donated more than three times that amount again, demonstrating the extraordinary generosity of our city.

A heartfelt thank you to Maria, Teagan and Belinda, and everyone at the Gold Coast Homelessness Network, for believing in our vision and trusting Can We Change to help deliver our part of the campaign.

A huge thank you to the City of Gold Coast for investing in the future by purchasing 22 permanent collection bins. These bins are more than just part of the Connect2Home campaign—they are a lasting community asset that will continue supporting future donation drives for charities across the Gold Coast for years to come.

A huge thank you to the Gold Coast Suns for hosting the annual Connect2Home event and for your incredible support behind the scenes. Your commitment to bringing the community together and supporting initiatives like this helps make a real difference for people experiencing homelessness across our city.

Thank you to every AFL club, volunteer, business, community partner and every single person who donated. Every item represents kindness, compassion and hope.

A special thank you to the organisations that will now ensure these donations reach the people who need them most:

❤️ Vinnies – thank you for coordinating and distributing the clothing.

💚 Set Free Care – thank you for collecting and distributing the food.

💜 St Vincent de Paul Society – thank you for coordinating and distributing the toiletries.

Homelessness is about more than housing. It’s about people, dignity, hope and ensuring that no one is forgotten.

We are honoured that Power Up Kids and Can We Change could play our part alongside so many incredible organisations and community partners to help make a real difference every day.

To everyone who donated, volunteered, shared our message or supported Connect2Home…

Thank you.

Together, we can change everything. ❤️

27/07/2026

Today was one of those days that really puts everything into perspective.

As we packed up the Connect2Home collection and removed the bins from libraries and community centres across the Gold Coast, we were overwhelmed by what our community had achieved together.

Three trailer loads of donations were collected today alone.

Hours were spent sorting everything into food, clothing and toiletries. Every box and every bag represented someone choosing to help a complete stranger.

But what touched us the most weren’t just the donations.

It was the handwritten cards and messages tucked amongst the food, clothing and toiletries. There were so many beautiful notes of encouragement, kindness and hope for people doing it tough. Reading them was incredibly emotional. They were a reminder that sometimes the greatest gift isn’t just what you give—it’s letting someone know they are seen, valued and not alone.

This morning, I was also speaking with a local councillor who shared a perspective that has stayed with me.

The Gold Coast is one of the most incredible places in the world to live. As more people choose to call this place home, housing demand increases, the cost of living rises, and unfortunately more people find themselves facing hardship. These challenges didn’t appear overnight, and they won’t disappear overnight either.

Rather than focusing on blame, we need to focus on what we can do together.

Every donation. Every volunteer. Every organisation. Every business. Every conversation. Every small act of kindness moves us one step closer to a stronger, more connected community.

The people doing it tough today need our support now. At the same time, we need to keep building better systems and stronger communities so future generations have greater opportunities and fewer people experience the hardship we’re seeing today.

For many years, Can We Change and Power Up Kids have been building practical community programs. Our vision has never been just about collecting donations—it has always been about creating lasting community infrastructure that supports charities, improves transparency, increases visibility, educates the public, and helps communities respond to what organisations need most, when they need it most.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll share some of the incredible stories from this year’s Connect2Home collection. Some will make you smile. Some will be heartbreaking. But every story will show the incredible compassion that exists across the Gold Coast.

To everyone who donated, volunteered, wrote a heartfelt message or simply chose to care—thank you. You have reminded us what community is all about.

Huge thanks to the GCHN Inc. Your behind-the-scenes work is incredible, and we are proud of our collaboration and the part we’ve played in Connect2Home. ❤️

Together we can change everything. ❤️

23/07/2026

Do you have a bag of clothing taking up residence in your boot? Maybe you have a few dollars to spare in your weekly shop? Tomorrow is the final day of the Gold Coast Connect2Home Donation Drive!
In 2025 we welcomed over 1000 guests through the gates and your support is what makes this event a success each year. We are so grateful to those who have donated so far and anyone ready to make a last minute drop! Thank you for showing the true community spirit of the Gold Coast 💛

20/07/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18wRLAYY4a/?mibextid=wwXIfr

17/07/2026

❤️ CAN WE CHANGE AFL JUNIOR CLUB REWARD & RECOGNITION PROGRAM ❤️

This weekend, as the Gold Coast Suns take on the Western Bulldogs, we’re proud to recognise three incredible community organisations through the Can We Change AFL Junior Club Reward & Recognition Program.

Congratulations to:
🟡 Surfers Paradise Demons Juniors
🟡Jimboomba Redbacks AFC
🟡 Gold Coast Youth Service

Each AFL club has received eight tickets to enjoy the game, while Gold Coast Youth Service has also been recognised for the outstanding work they do supporting young people across the Gold Coast every day.

A special congratulations to the Jimboomba Redbacks, who have joined the program for the first time this year. We look forward to working alongside your club and seeing the positive impact you continue to make in your community.

A huge thank you to the Gold Coast SUNS for their ongoing support of grassroots football, volunteers, community organisations, and the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make a difference. Programs like this not only recognise our local AFL clubs but also shine a spotlight on outstanding organisations such as Gold Coast Youth Service that are changing lives every day.

Together we can change everything. ❤️💛

17/07/2026

🥫 GRAB ONE ITEM FROM YOUR PANTRY OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS! 💙

As we count down to Connect2Home on 5 August, we’re asking every player, parent, volunteer and supporter from our AFL community to donate just one item. Please share this post.

Most needed:
🥫 Non-perishable food
🧴 Toiletries
❤️ Everyday essentials

Simply place your donation in the blue collection bin at your club.

A huge thank you to our 10 AFL clubs supporting this year’s Connect2Home collection drive, proudly hosted by the Gold Coast Suns and the GCHN Inc

🏉 Southport Sharks Junior AFL
🏉 Tweed Coast Tigers
🏉 Burleigh Bombers Junior AFL Club
🏉 Robina Mudgeeraba Roos Junior AFL
🏉 Palm Beach Currumbin Junior AFL Club
🏉 Labrador Juniors AFLTigers
🏉 Pacific Pines Australian Football Club
🏉 Coomera Magpies Australian Football Club - Juniors
🏉 Broadbeach Cats Juniors AFCCats
🏉 Carrara Saints FC
🏉 Ormeau Bulldogs Australian Football Club

Every donation will help support people and families doing it tough across our community.

🎯 Let’s fill every blue bin by 30 July!

Thank you again for your support.

16/07/2026

Will be an amazing event for everyone who attends.

You are not alone, there are an increasing number of people seeking a bit help or information about services in the community that can assist around cost of living. In a welcoming and family-friendly environment, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with a wide range of services and support available in the community. More than 60 community organisations will be on hand to provide information and guidance on support programs and services. The day will include a complimentary lunch served by the Gold Coast Suns, as well as entertainment and activities, making it an enjoyable and supportive experience for everyone who attends.

Mark the date in your diary.