Dear members and supporters,
This is it. The big one.
Port Adelaide takes Australia’s game, to a new frontier: China.
This moment is one that we will all look back on at the end of the year with pride. The support from our people has been fantastic and it has been amazing to see the black, white and teal in airports in Adelaide, Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai. We are everywhere!
Coincidentally, I write this update on the club’s 147th birthday. It gives a wonderful opportunity to reflect. Imagine if the founders of this club in 1870 could see us today. Back then, Port Adelaide was an upstart sporting social club for young lads in the local area. Nearly a century-and-a-half (and many wonderful successes) later, we’re about to put on the biggest show for Australian Football in the history of the game.
We have the tremendous backing of our Open to the World Partners, Ausgold and Shanghai Cred Real Estate and now with the wonderful new additions MJK and Greaton Holdings. In all we have twenty partners supporting our push into China, 12 of them Chinese and brand new to the AFL. It is a remarkable show of support of our China Engagement Strategy.
We have two fantastic supporters of the game in the AFL and Gold Coast.
We have government support through Tourism Australia and Brand South Australia, and have the highest endorsements from Australia’s PM and the state premier.
Our last players arrived on Wednesday with team staff, for them, this experience has become real. They’ll begin their world-standard preparation under Darren Burgess who will draw on his past experience as head of the Socceroos and Liverpool to ensure our boys are perfectly tuned for Sunday’s game.
And then, the match. History in the making. Some of Australia’s biggest business names will be in attendance, along with Chinese and Australian dignitaries, new partners and the who’s who of AFL.
Thousands of fans will watch the game live thanks to a new deal announced today to have CCTV, Shanghai Media and Guangzhou TV broadcast this match around China.
It will be watched back home on Seven and Fox, and across Asia on Australia Plus. Make no mistake, we are putting on the most-watched game of footy in history.
Those in transit or already here in Shanghai will be amazed by the truly global city of Shanghai. It is large, beautiful, fast, and immaculately presented. The world famous skyline at the Bund is simply mind blowing. You will experience the very best a major capital city of the world can offer, but also be enchanted by the unique and ancient culture of the Chinese people. And my wife says the shopping is amazing!
Don’t forget, safety is important. China is a very safe country, but as I mentioned last week, make sure you are well versed with the latest travel advice from DFAT, which you can view here.
This is the first time we’ve been to China, and we are learning a lot. While the finishing touches are being put on our events, supporter opportunities and the game day itself, we need to remember things may change at late notice. The best advice for those travelling over is to make sure you keep an eye on our official China site at portadelaidefc.com.au/china so you can get the latest updates from the club as information comes to hand.
For those over here, we’ll take a moment to remember we are guests in this country, representing our club, our state and our country. As much as we will be giving China a taste of Australia’s game, we will also give them a taste of Australians – we are what makes our country and our club great, and it’s important we all head to Shanghai with open minds, open hearts and conduct ourselves with the utmost respect for the locals and their culture. China is an amazing place, but it is also a very different place to what we are used to, let’s be mindful of that while we’re enjoying the sights, sounds and colour of Shanghai and (if you’re lucky to have more time off) the other fantastic destinations China has to offer!
And then the game itself. As much as we’re here to start the next chapter in building our club’s rich story, we’re also here to play a game of footy.
Boaky and Kenny and our players will prepare properly, and go in with the same mindset and approach they do every week.
They’ll be fighting to bring home the first premiership points on offer in China.
Massive game, massive stage, same Port Adelaide mentality. You, our people, expect nothing less and nor do we.
It’ll be a cracker, and we’ll do everything to make you proud of your footy club this weekend.
I want to take a moment to reflect on the loss of one of our own this week. Peter Obst – a six-time premiership hero and our 1962 best and fairest passed away this week. He’s part of the famous Obst family that has given so much to this club: his dad Ken played in three flags, his brother Trevor was a Magarey Medallist and club champion, his son Andrew played in Port Adelaide premierships too, and of course his grand-nephew Brad will run out for the club on Sunday.
Peter was one of those true gentlemen of our club’s golden age, and will be missed. We will wear black armbands for him on Sunday to remember his legacy as part of our family. Not much is left to be said, other than, simply, Carn Port!
And Jiangwan Stadium here we come!!
KT
