A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING has been signed between Port Adelaide, the AFL and the Power’s new partner Shanghai Cred Real Estate to play a premiership season game in China in 2017.
The agreement was witnessed by the Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull in his first act in China as Australia’s leader.
The Memorandum will see all parties endeavour to stage a match in China next year, and to support China Central Television (CCTV) in broadcasting AFL coverage in China and the Power’s Chinese social media accounts on WeChat and Weibo.
Importantly for the Power's Australian fan base, Port Adelaide will not sacrifice a home game at the Adelaide Oval to play in China next year.
The agreement, which follows a multi-million-dollar partnership signed earlier on Tuesday between Port Adelaide and Shanghai Cred, will also see Port Adelaide become the key promotor of the game in China with the support of the AFL.
The Power will run school and Auskick programs in China, as well as support university programs in Guangzhou.
“Today is a day that has been the culmination of a lot of hard work and to be honest, a day that many thought would never happen,” Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas said in Shanghai on Tuesday.
“I’m incredibly proud to have a signed a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Port Adelaide Football Club that ensures we will do everything possible to play a game for premiership points here in Shanghai as early as next season.
“Only last week we announced a landmark partnership with CCTV to broadcast three Port Adelaide game into China, along with a 25-week documentary series. We see today’s announcement as another important step in bringing the people of Australia and China together through a mutual passion for sport.
“Our partnership with CCTV is more than just entertainment; it is about understanding. Through our regular AFL programs on CCTV, the viewers in China will see more of Australia and learn more about our culture and Australian life.”
Power players wore their surnames in Chinese characters in the Power's win over Essendon in Round 3 [pic: AFL Media]
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan was in attendance at the event and said the AFL would support Port Adelaide’s desire to play a premiership season game in China next year.
“Port Adelaide, through the efforts of chairman David Koch and chief executive Keith Thomas, has done much outstanding work in the last four years to rebuild its position and profile within our competition,” he said.
“The club has now taken another significant step forwards with its move into China, to further expand its supporter base and build the wider exposure of the club and our game beyond Australia with its commitment to support school and university programs in Shanghai, Guangzhou, along with current AFL programs in China.
“The AFL will work with Port Adelaide to explore all available options to take a first game for premiership points into China.”
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