The Port Adelaide Football Club — in conjunction with the Australian Football League (AFL) — has today announced its sports performance team is the first in the current AFL competition to be accredited under industry body Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA).

Port Adelaide Football Club High Performance Manager Darren Burgess said the achievement was a real coup for both the club and the broader AFL community.

“We have always taken the safety of athletes and the rules of the game very seriously, but are proud to have now taken this commitment one step further by formally accrediting our sports performance personnel. We want fully qualified people working closely with our players,” Burgess said.

ESSA Executive Officer Anita Hobson-Powell commended the club on its decision and said Port Adelaide’s four sports scientists and one high performance manager had undergone the accreditation process.

“The stringent accreditation process requires industry workers to provide evidence of having successfully completed a recognised university degree in the exercise and sports science field and achieved particular sports science competencies, participate in 500 hours of supervised training and commit to undertaking annual professional development,” Ms Hobson-Powell said.

“In becoming accredited, these members have also agreed to abide by the ESSA Code of Professional Practice and Ethical Conduct, which governs day-to-day practice and ensures members behave in an ethical and responsible manner."

Ms Hobson-Powell said unlike sports physicians, doctors, physiotherapists and dietitians, sport scientists are currently the only members of high performance teams that are not required to be accredited or registered by a professional body or national regulator.

“Sports scientists arguably have some of the greatest contact with and influence over athletes, so it is concerning that formal accreditation is not compulsory,” Ms Hobson-Powell said.

“It is really encouraging to see clubs like Port Adelaide being proactive in seeking accreditation and protecting the interests of their players.

“Formal accreditation ensures industry best practice standards are upheld and holds sports scientists accountable for their actions and treatment of athletes."

Michael Poulton, Competition Stakeholder Manager with the AFL, said the move was a positive step for the sport.

“Having fully accredited industry professionals working alongside our players not only ensures athletes are treated with the highest quality of care, but also safeguards the integrity of the game,” Mr Poulton said.

“The AFL has already begun the process of developing an accreditation framework for all football department staff who work in the coaching and performance areas, in their respective areas of expertise.”