AusLeisure

Port Adelaide is to host the AFL’s first members forum, giving 750 Port Power members an unprecedented rundown of how an AFL club operates.

In what is believed to be a first for Australian sport, the all-day ‘Inside Port Adelaide Live’ event will be held at Alberton Oval (pictured), Port Adelaide’s historic home, on Saturday 10th February next year.

Introducing the event, Port Adelaide Football Club Executive General Manager Matthew Richardson told Adelaide newspaper The Advertiser that the ground-breaking forum is designed to give Power members a greater insight on how their AFL football program.

Richardson advised “we are a ‘members first’ club - and we have asked how do we bring the members further inside the club.

“Of greatest interest is the football program - and today’s fan is not as close to that part of the club as was the case before the professional era.”

The convention - that replicates forum conducted by major professional sports clubs such as the Chicago Cubs in Major League Baseball in the USA - will involve the Power’s key football staff and players, Chief Executive Keith Thomas and President David Koch.

Senior coach Ken Hinkley will open the event at 9am and it will close at 3.30pm. Members will be able to walk in and opt out of presentations.

These will include football panels on each key division of the Power’s football team, such as the defence with the presentation led by assistant coach Nathan Bassett and supported by senior Port Adelaide players.

Senior assistant coach Matthew Nicks will detail the work of AFL coaches, while Chris Davies and Jason Cripps will review the Power’s recruiting and trade program and strategy.

Richardson added “members will leave their phones at the door, come and go through 10-12 presentations and be given an exclusive look at how the club operates.

“We have been challenging ourselves since the move to Adelaide Oval (in 2014) to do things that make our 60,000 members feel closer to their club.

“We will begin with 750 members. We want it to be an annual event - and we want to aim to giving access to more members.” 

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