IT’S the kind of experience which doesn’t receive much recognition but a simple annual event for the families of Port Adelaide footballers has been credited with helping interstate players feel at home in unfamiliar surrounds and creating an extended family feel around the club.

For years the club has brought the parents and siblings of its players together for an annual “family day” to coincide with the intra-club match at Alberton Oval.

This year the families of the club’s newest draftees were treated to a tour of Adelaide Oval where they got to see where the families sit on game day and the changerooms where they can see their sons post-match.

After a lunch in the city, the group was brought to Alberton Oval for a tour, led by club great and premiership captain Tim Ginever, to give them an understanding of the club’s history and what Port Adelaide is all about.

The group was then joined by the families of the rest of the playing group to enjoy the intra-club match before the 110-strong group had a feed and some drinks at the neighbouring bowls club.

Port Adelaide’s player welfare team, led by John Hinge organised the day, flying in families from across the nation to bring them together.

“It’s an annual event where we fly in all the parents from all over Australia to come and see their boys play their first game and spend a bit of time getting to know each other because they’ll see each other throughout the year,” Hinge explained to portadelaidefc.com.au.

“We think it’s really important – every player’s got a parent who will be seeing their journey throughout their careers and building these relationships is part of the connection that the club strives to get.

“A lot of clubs might bring the parents of the first and second year players in to show them the club, but we think it’s really important that every family member gets to have a look at the club.

“We pride ourselves as a family club and this is a commitment we have made because we think it’s really important to make people feel at home.

“This is not just for the new parents, it’s for everyone and it’s all about helping the players thrive and be the best they can be.”

It seems to have worked for Xavier Duursma and his family.

His father Dean Duursma was among the group last Friday night, and took a moment away from the bowls action to explain how important it has been for his family to connect with others in similar situations.

“We love it here at Port Adelaide. They’re all very welcoming, the whole club has been terrific for Xavier and us as a family,” he said.

“When Xav was drafted a couple of the dads gave us a call and welcomed us to the club, which was awesome as well and made us feel very much at home straight away.

“It’s really good to meet everyone and that way when the games are on you’ve got a connection and you can sit with people and have a chat and everyone comes down to the rooms together after the game.

“Port Adelaide footy club has made it feel very much like a family so we couldn’t be happier.”

The experience has been very positive for the Duursmas, who have three other children in school in Victoria and take in turns to visit Adelaide to watch Xavier in action.

“I know for Xavier, Port Adelaide was probably his favourite interviews that (draft) year as well so there was something that must have been special and we’re really pleased that he’s here,” Dean Duursma said.

“The player welfare guys are always checking on how things are going for us as well so they’re looking after us as well as Xavier.

“Suzy, my wife and I, we could not be happier with how the club’s been for us and for Xavier since that draft night – she wants to move here!”

It was a similar story for the family of new recruit Miles Bergman, who only joined Port Adelaide in November’s AFL National Draft.

“Coming from draft night, originally it was quite difficult, having him go interstate,” explained his brother Blake Bergman.

“But now with this experience, it’s like a home away from home, it’s like a second family.

“I 100% agree with that to have all the families come together and meet each other so we can form friendships.

“Having people come from similar backgrounds, you realise it’s just like a big happy family and that’s pretty cool.”