Children and young people in care can access a range of free or low-cost sport, recreation and community activities to help them learn, build confidence and feel connected.

These activities are supported by the Department for Child Protection (DCP) and partner organisations across South Australia.

If you’re unsure what’s suitable for a child or young person in your care, speak with your DCP caseworker.

Help with costs

Sports vouchers (Reception to Year 9)

School-aged children from Reception to Year 9 may be eligible for a $100 sports voucher to help cover the cost of sport, dance or music registrations and fees.

Apply online via the sports vouchers website (external site) (external site) (external site).

For help or more information, speak with your DCP caseworker.

Sport and recreation clinics

Programs run at different times of the year, often during school holidays. Availability may change.

A free water safety and survival program.

Who can attend: Children and young people in care aged 3–12 years.

When: Programs are held in December and January each year.

Cost: Free for eligible children and young people in care.

Registrations will open in September 2026.

Netball SA run school holiday netball clinics designed to build skills, confidence, self-esteem and fitness.

Expressions of interest are open for the July school holidays.
(external site) (external site)

Basketball SA run safe and enjoyable introduction to basketball that supports active lifestyles, social development and inclusion.

For more information, visit the Adelaide 36ers Holiday Clinics (external site) (external site) and Basketball SA. (external site) (external site)

There are currently no clinics available.

Visit  Play HQ (external site) (external site) and the Adelaide Strikers holiday programs (external site) (external site) for more information.

There are currently no clinics available.

Visit SANFL school holiday clinics (external site) (external site) for more information.

There are currently no programs available.

Visit Bike SA (external site) (external site) for more  event information.

Sport and recreation events

From time to time, partner organisations such as Adelaide Motorsport Festival, Adelaide Crows Football Club, Port Adelaide Football Club, Netball SA, Basketball SA and South Australian Cricket Association provide tickets to sporting and community events for children and young people in care. Availability is limited.

Children aged birth to 6 years can receive a free reading pack to help establish a home library and support early literacy and numeracy development.

For more information, speak with your DCP caseworker.

Learning resources for sporting organisations

Calm, Connect, Coach

The Calm, Connect, Coach: Understanding childhood trauma and supportive sporting environments learning package has been developed by DCP in partnership with the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing. The resource aims to provide the community sport and recreation sector with an understanding of the needs of children and young people who may have experienced trauma, as well as with a range of practical trauma-informed strategies and tools tailored for use in sport and recreation settings.

This resource is available on the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing website (external site) (external site).

Our partners

Need help or more information?

If you’re unsure which activity is right for a child or young person in your care, or you’d like to know what’s currently available, contact CPReform@sa.gov.au.