AT Port Adelaide there are plenty of driven, passionate and powerful women leading the charge towards its ultimate goal as a football club.
And what better way is there to celebrate International Women’s Day than to shine the spotlight on a few of the women who help to power Port Adelaide every day?
Mel Musolino – Events Manager
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Mel makes up Port Adelaide’s six-woman events and game day team at Alberton – the ones who work tirelessly to plan, manage and deliver over 150 events each year at the club.
From corporate hospitality, Family Day and members’ events, right through to the Power’s game day experience and club events such as Best and Fairest – Mel’s there, on the floor, at any time of the day or night, making sure things run exactly to plan!
She’s driven, energetic and constantly coming up with new ideas to challenge her team and make sure Port’s game day and events stay industry leaders.
“I love the buzz we get from running events, no matter if it’s a small boardroom lunch or it’s calling the boys out onto the ground for team entry on game day on the national stage. Working for a football club makes you feel a part of a great big family, no matter what your role within the organisation is, I love the way everyone is willing to pitch in and is invested in the greater goal – a premiership!
“I think it’s important to make sure the females in our workplace are supported and empowered, especially in an environment like football which can be somewhat male-orientated. To me, today is a celebration of how far we’ve come but also a reminder that we need to continue to work hard to foster, develop and nurture our young women to enable them to feel they can take on anything.”
Lisa Kennedy - Community Development Coordinator
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A key player in Port Adelaide’s community arm, Lisa spends most of her time out and about at schools with the players helping deliver the club’s community programs. She works closely with her team to help encourage disengaged youth to complete their schooling, make positive decisions and set goals in their lives. An accomplished three-time state level footballer currently playing for the Port Adelaide Women’s team, she uses her own experience in sport to help make a difference in the lives of young people. She’s also works closely on the club’s female football strategy.
“Every day is different - it’s a fast paced environment where everyone has their own roles to play, but ultimately we are all working towards one thing – a successful footy club. I grew up supporting Port Adelaide, I come from a family who bleeds black and white. Some days I have to pinch myself when I think about how lucky I am to be working amongst legends of the game, past and present.
“We have the opportunity to showcase what women in society have achieved and inspire young women to set their goals high and go after whatever they want. I believe as a footy club we are in a very unique position to influence the young women and show that footy isn’t just for men, nor is it only for girls who want to play. The reality is that women can work in any job they want, and that is the message that needs to get out there.”
Simone De Laine – Human Resources Manager
An integral cog in the engine room at Port Adelaide, Simone is in charge of attracting the best talent from around Australia and the globe to all departments within the club. Her focus is on delivering the best performance and career experience by investing in our people through reward and recognition, learning opportunities and career pathways with the safety and wellbeing of all Port Adelaide staff always at the top of mind. Most important of all, she leads the way in making sure the team-first mentality that is well known for the footy side of things flows through to every section of the club – people are at the centre of everything she does.
“I love working with all staff across the club and enjoy the frantic pace of working in a football club with great people, doing amazing things every day.”
“We have a large number of passionate, dedicated and hard working women at Port Adelaide helping the club to be the best it can be. Today is a time to reflect and celebrate the contribution women around the world make in enhancing their communities. We are an inclusive club which inspires women to achieve whatever it is they want to achieve.”
There's just three of some of the incredible people working to make Port Adelaide achieve bigger and better things each and every year.
Stay tuned to portadelaidefc.com.au for more stories on the people who make Port Adelaide great – those within the club and those who barrack hard on game day and at home around the world.
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