FAMILIES and close friends of Port Adelaide’s AFLW players were invited to attend a ‘training and tour day’ on Saturday, to reinforce their connection to the historic club.
In what was the first training since the final seven players were added at the NAB AFLW Draft on Wednesday, the team was abuzz with excitement.
The frosty morning did nothing to quash the mood, particularly as the women entered their home changeroom for the first time, after some delays in construction.
Their eyes lit up as the spied their names and guernsey numbers emblazoned on their lockers, which were hastily installed following Draft night.
The families enjoyed coffee and refreshments on the deck of the newly-opened Precinct, where they overlooked Alberton Oval as the women took part in match simulation.
Ebony O’Dea’s mum, Cherie, was excited for the day, particularly as her daughter’s signing to Port Adelaide has allowed the former Collingwood player to move home to South Australia.
“I’m still pinching myself having Ebony back home, we’re absolutely thrilled,” she said.
“I grew up watching Port Adelaide play on a black and white TV at my Nanna’s after church, we would go there because she had a TV.
“And The Precinct…it’s just been beautifully done and is very respectful of the history of the club.”
The families were surprised by special guest John (Jack) Cahill, 10-time Port Adelaide Premiership coach and four-time Port Adelaide Premiership player.
Cahill enlightened the group with stories from his playing and coaching days and spoke warmly of how his connection to the club has remained strong over the years.
“I think what Jack Cahill said this morning just reinforced that whole concept of believing in being the best person you can be and getting around everybody together…it’s very, very special,” O’Dea said.
Player development manager Amanda Sheldon was an integral part of the event, with her key focus being on player wellbeing and nurturing the players as people, outside of football.
“Our training and tour day (has been) a really great opportunity for the players to invite friends, partners, close family into the club, give them a bit of a taste of what training looks like and show them around the great facilities we have,” Sheldon said.
“It’s been a really fun morning. We’ve also had a group photo and a smoking ceremony (from past player and proud Kaurna man Michael O'Brien).
“It’s been so good to meet the families because I feel like in the few weeks I’ve been here, I’ve been able to chat to the players and get to know them and to be able to put names to faces with family members and partners has been really fantastic.
“It’s really important that the players and families feel like they’re part of a community and part of the club.
“We want the players and he families to feel like they’re connected to their club.”
