MORE students in China will learn about Australian Rules football and be exposed to Australian culture thanks to a partnership between the Port Adelaide Football Club and the Federal Government – and South Australia will be the beneficiary. 

The expansion is supported by the Australian Government through the Australia-China Council of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 

In its third year in 2018, around 4,000 students from 21 schools participated in the Power Footy program. 

The program is designed to introduce students Australia and its culture through its most popular sport, Australian Rules football.  It uses sport to encourage cultural exchange and promotes a healthy, active lifestyle through the use fun, engaging and challenging games. 

There is also a digital component, with participants learning about Australian culture through short videos shown on Wechat. 

In 2019, the program will expand to two new provinces – Zhejiang as well as Sichuan - and involve at least 30 schools. This expansion holds great commercial potential, with PAFC to announce private sector support for the program in the coming weeks. It also holds great economic potential for South Australia. 

In early August, a significant Chinese company that supports the Power Footy program travelled to South Australia and met with the University of Adelaide, with discussions now underway to send 100 Power Footy graduates each year to the university, creating around 29 jobs in South Australia and attracting a $13 million-dollar boost to the state’s economy. 

Under the three-year agreement to expand the program in China, the Commonwealth Government, through its Australia China Council, will provide $60,000 to complement private sector support to expand Power Footy into Sichuan. 

Port Adelaide Football Club General Manager – China Engagement Andrew Hunter thanked the Government for its generous support, while also praising the University of Adelaide for its contribution. 

“The Port Adelaide Football Club is proud of the Power Footy program which plays the dual role of growing participation in and support of Australian Rules football while building a bridge of cultural understanding and friendship between Australia and the people of China,” he said. 

“We are thrilled to be able to expand the program and expose more Chinese students to Australian history and culture while encouraging a healthy lifestyle. 

“Most importantly, Port Adelaide stays involved once Power Footy students come to Adelaide to provide a more rounded, authentic experience for them where they get to interact with the club, undertake internships and take up job opportunities through our partner network.” 

Christopher Findlay AM, Executive Dean, Faculty of the Professions at the University of Adelaide welcomed the program’s expansion. 

“Power Footy is a tremendous conduit for cultural exchange and improved understanding,” he said. 

“The Adelaide Business School is delighted to see the Power Footy program expand into Sichuan.  

“The expansion into new provinces will open new doors and introduce fresh contacts and talent. 

“All this has the potential for innovative business and economic ideas and outcomes for our State.” 

South Australia’s Education Minister John Gardner commended the Port Adelaide Football Club for growing the Power Footy program, which he described as a “fantastic initiative”. 

“Chinese international student numbers continue to grow in South Australia and this growth brings immense economic benefit to the state,” he said. 

“We have great educational institutions, and the Power Footy program provides a valuable opportunity to showcase South Australia overseas and encourages international students to choose our state to study.”

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