Previously under ex-Power player Stuart Cochrane and currently under Port Adelaide SANFL player Henry Slattery, the club’s player welfare program strives to bring player families to the club to acquaint them with the its history, values and program.
They attended the club’s recent trial match and returned to Alberton the following day as part of a welcome to the club.
Parents of new recruits were given their first induction to the club with a tour of the club’s headquarters and presentations on the club’s history by premiership captain Tim Ginever.
High performance manager Darren Burgess and football development manager Daniel Healy introduced parents to the programs their sons will participate in during 2013.
Later joined by the families of the remainder of the playing group for lunch, all parents were welcomed formally by club chairman David Koch and senior coach Ken Hinkley before enjoy a cruise on the Port River in the club’s heartland.
Player Welfare Manager Henry Slattery says the day affords player families the opportunity to learn about their sons’ full time workplace.
“The club wants to be a family environment,” said Slattery.
“We have a lot of interstate players and we want the parents to feel comfortable that we’re looking after their kids.
“It gives them an opportunity to meet other parents as well as the staff who are in contact with the players all day and developing them and giving them life skills.
“A lot of clubs don’t do this but we’re willing to spend our money on initiatives that bring players and their families into the club and make them feel welcome.
“It’s not only to show we’re looking after the players, but also for parents to understand what we’re trying to get out of them as footballers and the expectations around being part of an AFL club.”
