SHE has only been following the sport for a few years and admits she doesn’t watch every game but Zahraa al-Sarraf is confident she will have a positive impact as Port Adelaide’s new Chief Executive Officer – even if she will only be in the role for one day.

Zahraa, 15 is a year 10 student at Pinnacle College and has won the right to take over from CEO Keith Thomas today after sending in a video application at the last minute.

“I heard about it a couple of weeks before but didn’t think much about it until the day it was due,” she said.

“It took about 37 different videos before we got the final one which we submitted because I kept laughing and I just couldn’t take it seriously, but I will take the job seriously now that I have it.”

Zahraa was born in Lebanon but moved to Australia with her Iraqi father and Lebanese mother as refugees when she was eight months old.

She has two younger sisters, Asraa, who is in year 8, and Fatima who is in year 3.

It is perhaps fitting then that Zahraa will take the helm of the club on World Refugee Day.

“I can’t believe it still that out of everyone I got chosen,” she said.

“I was worried that because I’m a girl and I’m from a different culture that I would be overlooked so I kept thinking “really me?” when they picked me.

“I like that in sport it doesn’t matter your race or background – if someone scores a goal they all come together and celebrate – and I like seeing that.

“That is the power of sport.”

Zahraa is among more than 200 students from eight schools who are involved in the Power Intercultural Program which culminates in a football carnival at Alberton Oval this week.

The program is designed to celebrate the vibrancy of cultural diversity and expression in Australia. It promotes inclusion and builds social cohesion by recognising the positive contribution of different cultures.

The nine-a-side teams will do battle to determine who will play off in a final at Adelaide Oval, as a curtain-raiser to the Power’s blockbuster Friday night match against Melbourne.

Zahraa said being involved in the program at school made her want to go to class because she enjoyed it so much.

Her mother, Zeinab Khawaja, said she had seen a change in her daughter since she became involved.

“It gives her more confidence,” she said.

“She’s not shy, except she wasn’t before either really, and it has helped develop her personality.

“She bosses her sisters around a lot so she will be good (as CEO).

“Everyone always asks her for help at home – me and her dad are always asking her – but she is very independent, she never asks anyone for anything.”

During her time in the CEO role Zahraa will address Ken Hinkley and the playing group about her expectations and carry out a press conference announcing the club’s charity partner for Friday night’s game.

While her time will be limited in the role, Zahraa is confident of achieving some positive action – although she is keeping her plans under wraps for now.

“I think if I put my mind to it I will get things done, I will write a list and check things off as I go,” she said.

“I don’t want to change too much because I haven’t known the club for more than a few years, and I really like the feeling here.

“I saw the offices before and there is so much going on here.”

“Last year when we met the players they seemed really close – they even introduced each other for each other.

“I’m more scared than I am nervous (to talk to the players), I just don’t want to talk too fast, or stutter or mumble.

Zahraa considers herself to be quite creative, and especially enjoys drawing and taking photos.

She has her mind set on studying law and business but has not ruled out the potential of becoming club CEO in a full-time capacity one day.

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