ENERGYAUSTRALIA has signed a three-year deal to continue its support of the Port Adelaide Football Club AFL Aboriginal Academy, alongside the South Australia Aboriginal Sports Training Academy.

The AFL Aboriginal Academy becomes EnergyAustralia’s primary sponsorship with Port Adelaide after it decided not to extend its joint major partnership of the football club.

EnergyAustralia has been a joint major partner of the Club’s AFL and SANFL teams for the past three years as well as a primary backer of the AFL Aboriginal Academy.

Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas thanked EnergyAustralia for its support of the club over the past three seasons.

“EnergyAustralia came on board in 2014 as part of our move to Adelaide Oval and has been a proud and enthusiastic supporter of the club since,” Mr Thomas said.

“We understand that partner priorities change over time, and we are pleased to have EnergyAustralia’s three-year commitment to continue as a partner of our community programs, particularly the Aboriginal AFL Academy.”

EnergyAustralia’s managing director Catherine Tanna says the opportunity to remain involved with Port Adelaide was important for one of Australia’s largest energy retailers.

“EnergyAustralia has been a proud major partner and supporter of the Port Adelaide Football Club for the past three years,” she said.

“I want to thank Keith and the entire club for making it a rewarding partnership on so many levels.

“EnergyAustralia has changed its sponsorship strategy and while that means we can’t continue with the same level of support, it does open new opportunities.

“We’re really excited to continue our involvement with this great club by joining the South Australia Aboriginal Sports Training Academy as major partner of the Port Adelaide Aboriginal AFL Academy.”

Port Adelaide is finalising arrangements with a new joint major partner to join Renault as its top flight backer in 2017.