Dear Members and supporters,
These are remarkable times.
Yesterday the AFL announced that the 2020 AFL season will be postponed until at least May 31.
The decision came after further consultation with Federal and State Governments and Government health authorities that have determined the closure of State borders.
In the interests of protecting the health and safety of our players, coaches, staff, volunteers and supporters we support the AFL’s decision to postpone the season.
Our players, coaches and staff that travelled to the Gold Coast on the weekend have now been put into mandatory 14 day isolation as a measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Our licensed premises – The Port Club and The Prince of Wales Hotel – along with our retail outlet The Port Store, are now closed indefinitely.
In these exceptional circumstances, extraordinary measures have to be taken.
As AFL CEO Gill McLachlan stated yesterday this is the biggest financial crisis in the history of the AFL competition.
This is a one in one hundred year crisis for our country and for our industry.
And it will hit home for the Port Adelaide Football Club more than anything ever has. This is without doubt our club’s greatest challenge in our 150 year history.
While most of us have not yet been impacted directly by the coronavirus, Port Adelaide and the AFL industry has a responsibility to the broader community.
Nearly everything we treasure in our lives has been put on hold indefinitely.
And the reality is we don’t know when and where this will end.
What I do know is that when challenged the Port Adelaide family always stick together.
It is clear that season 2020 is going to be a season like no other, with challenges that we’ve never faced before.
Everyone at the club will play their role. Our board, staff, players and volunteers are all working incredibly hard to make the best out of this difficult situation.
Thank you again for your support as a member. You indeed are the cornerstone of our club. We exist for you.
On behalf of everyone at the club, please take care of yourselves and those around you and we will provide regular updates across this challenging time.
Take care.
KT
