Dear Members and Supporters,

Thanks for your overwhelming support of my last letter. I must admit the team did enjoy flicking back through the old scrap books to come up with some of those statistical gems, and to officially set the record straight regarding our contribution to footy in this state! I sensed from your reaction it may have been a little overdue!

As we head into a well- earned break over Christmas, the result of the Adelaide Oval Review is the last remaining box to tick on an otherwise pretty satisfying year. I expect to be able to report further on that later this week.

As you have been reading on the website and in newspaper reports, our boys arrived back from Dubai on Sunday. A little worse for wear, but very much better for the confidence they have gained through surviving this gruelling test. Sending such a large group on a trip overseas is a huge investment for any Club.

We believe strongly that given the age and development of our young, maturing list, the two trips to Dubai (2013 and 2014) have been fundamental in fast tracking their physical and mental development, and the player’s first class approach to the opportunity has ensured that we have maximised this investment.

At the same time, our Magpies squad have been burning up the track back home. The SANFL fixture provides plenty to look forward to, with the traditional ANZAC Round Grand Final re-match clash against Norwood at Adelaide Oval on Friday 24 April one to circle in as a ‘must see’ next year.

Membership
I’d like to spend a moment to thank you for your patience over the past 2-3 weeks, as you have tried to renew your memberships with us. I know it has been a more difficult process than we would have liked for many of you. The combination of a delayed release and the extraordinary, unprecedented demand to join the Club in 2015 has placed enormous strain on our ability to achieve the prompt efficient service levels that we strive for.

I would like you to know that the membership team have been doing a herculean job in working through the back-log. They are absolutely committed to getting this right for you, so that your Adelaide Oval experience next year can be as positive as it was in 2014.

To this end, we have extended the membership renewal deadline for 2014 reserved seat and Essential Members until January 14, 2015. We want everyone to be able to ‘Bring the Noise’ next year; hopefully the additional two weeks will enable us to get everyone in and settled.

Foodbank/Port Adelaide Christmas Hamper
Last but certainly not least I want to bring to your attention our wonderful relationship with Foodbank. As you know, our partnership through the End Hunger campaign stretches back to 2012 and since then we have joined forces on many projects to help relieve hunger in our society. This year we even built a house together to raise funds for the campaign!

Given that we’re just over a week from Christmas no doubt most of you will be well advanced in your preparations for Christmas lunch and how much ham and turkey you’ll have left over for the month of January.

But it’s also time to think about those South Aussies who are facing a bleak Christmas, with very little to eat and no idea where their next meal is coming from.

That’s why, over the past three seasons, we’ve encouraged our Members and corporate partners to support the vital work of Foodbank SA through supporting Foodbank’s Christmas Hamper campaign.

By simply donating $47 to Foodbank SA, they will turn your donation into a hamper of essential food items with a retail value of at least $110. That hamper is then given to someone in need – usually a family with children.

Needless to say, your $47 can make the world of difference to a hungry child: one who may be living in your street, or going to your local school. With three nutritious meals a day, that child is likely to be more attentive at school, more sociable in the playground, more energetic on the sports field, and ultimately more motivated to succeed in life.

It is such a worthy and rewarding cause, that as a club, we’re aiming to raise enough money for 10,000 hampers; feeding around 25,000 South Australians.

Together, we really do have the Power to End Hunger this Christmas, so please give your support to Foodbank SA by clicking here or calling Foodbank SA on 08 8351 1136.

So that’s about it for 2014. Thank you for an incredible year.

The hard work has already begun to ensure that we build on this success in 2015 and we look forward to joining you again next year to take our Club even further.

Have a safe and enjoyable Christmas!

KT