PORT ADELAIDE has promoted its Head of Sports Science and Conditioning, Stuart Graham to fill the role left with the impending departure of its Head of High Performance Ian McKeown.

Graham will take on the title of Head of Physical Performance as part of a revised structure in the High Performance Department.

His role will include sports science as well as conditioning and athletic development.

Graham started with Port Adelaide in 2012 as a Sports Scientist, working his way into the role of Head of Sports Science in 2014.

Three years later he became the club’s Head of Sports Science and Conditioning – a role he currently holds.

Graham has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise Sports Science), which he completed with honours, as well as a PhD. His thesis was based on monitoring the training load, performance and recovery of elite Australian Rules footballers.

The new role was advertised and attracted a strong field of candidates, but General Manager – Football, Chris Davies said Graham was a stand-out.

“Stuart has been at the forefront of driving the conditioning of our players in recent years and is always looking to push the boundaries that exist in our code in order to ensure our players are not only performing at an elite standard but constantly improving,” Davies said.

“His work is world-class in his field and despite undertaking a recruitment process, we always believed he had the required skills and capabilities to take on the role. We think it speaks volumes of his development within the club that we have such a high quality internal candidate.”

The club’s Head of Medical Services, Tim O’Leary, will also take on additional responsibility as part of the revised departmental structure.

McKeown will depart the club at the end of the season after nine years at Alberton.