THE Port Adelaide Football Club welcomes the partnership that marks a new era for football in South Australia and secures an exciting future for the Club.
Under the plan, Port Adelaide will receive financial support amounting to $9m over three years (2011-13) to underpin its business plan as the Club builds towards playing its AFL games at Adelaide Oval.
$1m in each of the three years comes as a grant from the AFL, while $2 million in each year will be loaned by the AFL to the SANFL to be granted to Port Adelaide.
It’s also been confirmed Port Adelaide’s Round 24 game against Melbourne will be played at Adelaide Oval.
President Brett Duncanson said: “We are grateful to the SANFL and AFL for this contribution which we see as an investment not only in Port Adelaide, but in the future of football in South Australia.
“It provides certainty surrounding our future financial position as we plan for the new era at Adelaide Oval. There, we can stand proudly and continue the contribution our Club has made to the sport throughout its 141-year history.
“The reality is that we have faced challenging times. But through a lot of hard work we have begun turning around our bottom line while still generating significant revenue for football in South Australia.
“We see this financial investment as acknowledgement of what Port Adelaide has delivered in the past and the foundation of what it will contribute for many years to come. We have worked hard to help ourselves but the reality is that we needed to get something back to allow us to move forward.”
Port Adelaide thanks SA Football Commission Chairman John Olsen, his fellow Commissioners, SANFL Executive Commissioner Leigh Whicker, AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou and his fellow AFL Commissioners.
“All of these people have shown great faith in the future of the Port Adelaide Football Club and the role it will play in the future of football in this State,” Mr Duncanson said.
“They are aware of what a significant asset this Club is, and have worked with us to secure our long-term position and shown leadership in the long-term interests of the game in South Australia.”
Mr Duncanson said the Club, its Board of Directors, management and staff were committed to continuing their disciplined work off the field to ensure this investment pays the greatest return possible.
“We have shown how hard we are prepared to work and we will keep doing that to make sure this support helps us grow and work towards what will be a wonderful era for our Club and its supporters.”
