A NEW partnership announced today between the Port Adelaide Football Club and the University of Adelaide’s Adelaide Business School will establish further opportunities for graduates wanting to launch their careers in China and Australia and build on the existing relationship between the club and the University.

Since 2013, Port Adelaide has been using sports diplomacy through Australian football as a tool to connect Chinese and Australian companies and assist businesses in each region to further their connection and brand awareness. Now, through this partnership with the Adelaide Business School, students and graduates will benefit from additional internship and graduate employment opportunities.

This partnership builds on the University of Adelaide’s existing support for Port Adelaide’s Power Footy program across China and their support of the club’s business-to-business platform aimed at connecting Australian and Chinese businesses.

Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas says the partnership with the University of Adelaide is a natural fit for the club.

“We are delighted to be partnering with the University of Adelaide, a premium tertiary education brand recognised globally for its excellence,” Mr Thomas said.

“Our partnership extends across a number of levels and is a fantastic brand alignment. The University of Adelaide are supporting our Power Footy school program that is already in more than twenty schools across China. This partnership provides the University of Adelaide opportunities to engage students from Chinese international schools linked to this program.

“Their support of our business-to-business platform in China is another natural connection between Port Adelaide and the Adelaide Business School.

“And now to be partnering with the Adelaide Business School on providing wonderful opportunities for graduates to launch their careers in either China or Australia is very exciting.

“When you consider that the current Australian Foreign Minister, the Shadow Foreign Minister and the Head of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are all alumni of the University of Adelaide, it is entirely appropriate for Port Adelaide and the University of Adelaide to work together on initiatives inspired by sports diplomacy.

“Port Adelaide has developed an innovative business model as a disruptor, but we will never stop learning. We believe this partnership will shine a light on our business model and practices.”

The partnership will create a direct connection between the University and potential employers.

“Many of our Chinese students study business and finance courses in Adelaide and return home to China, using the skills and expertise they've gained while here,” says Professor Christopher Findlay, Executive Dean of the University's Faculty of the Professions which houses the Business School.

“This new partnership will establish a connection between the Business School and the Port Adelaide Football Club’s Chinese and Australian partners about graduate careers in their organisations," says Professor Findlay.

This is in addition to an agreement between the University’s Indigenous Centre Wirltu Yarlu and PAFC, which works to support young Indigenous people gain access to university education through the Club’s Aboriginal AFL Academy Program.

“While this partnership focusses on employment opportunities, we will continue to explore other ways of working with the Port Adelaide Football Club to achieve common goals,” says Professor Findlay.

The new partnership with Port Adelaide builds on an award-winning program developed by the University of Adelaide's Careers Service, known as China Career Ready Plus. That program connects global employers in China with students and provides career development resources for Chinese students to assist them become career ready. Thousands of students have benefited from the program since 2015.

More on portadelaidefc.com.au