IN November 2009, we welcomed Evan Arnold at the Power as the new Manager of Corporate Partners and Capability. He oversees the areas of Corporate Sales and Accounts, looking after relationships with the Club’s corporate partners and Power Brokers and also the hugely successful Events team.

Evan has an extensive background in the corporate business environment having held leadership roles with Lion Nathan and most recently with Fosters in both Victoria and South Australia. Evan holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Adelaide.

In the coming months, Evan looks forward to coming around and meeting with you all as valued partners of the Port Adelaide Football Club. In the meantime, we spent some time with Evan asking a few questions to introduce him to you.

PAFC: Evan, what lured you away from the hospitality industry to come across into Aussie Rules?

Evan Arnold: Both industries have consistent themes of passion, energy and the attraction to fully engage you in what you are doing. I am very excited by the opportunity to help us realise our goals of financial sustainability and further on-field success in the years ahead.

PAFC: What have been your initial observations about our unique industry?

Evan Arnold: Having a sporting background, the environment is very motivating and the most interesting part of the industry that has hit me is the positive impact that football clubs can have on people. This can be in the form of development of young players, the impact on our supporters and children in the community, the ability to help people with business outcomes, or helping Australians who are not as fortunate as ourselves.

PAFC: I hear you’re a former Premiership player, tell us about your footy background.

Evan Arnold: I certainly cherish my time with a number of football environments and mostly with the Adelaide University Football Club (The Blacks) where we were fortunate enough to win a premiership in 1999 by 1 point at Adelaide Oval against Goodwood Saints. I was lucky enough to play in two further grand finals with the Blacks and finished my humble career playing with family connections at Hummocks Watchman Eagles in the Adelaide Plains League where we were also fortunate enough to win back to back flags. Great times and they are sorely missed!

PAFC: Evan, you’d love the Power’s new footy guernsey then… it must take you back to your Adelaide Uni days?

Evan Arnold: There is a very strong resemblance and I understand key figures at the Blacks are considering their legal options!! (Just kidding). It is strong and bold and we are all looking forward to the team wearing it with pride throughout the season and beyond.

PAFC: I understand your skills weren’t just confined to the footy field. Tell us about your cricket prowess...

Evan Arnold: The Sturt District Cricket Club was home for me during the summer from the age of about 15 to 30 and I tried my best to contribute as an all-rounder who enjoyed the frustrating art of leg-spin bowling! I also learned a lot from a stint at the AIS Cricket Academy in 1995 and played a game for the Redbacks also at Adelaide Oval which was a thrill.

PAFC: From you’re observations of the new Rookies… who do you like the look of and why?

Evan Arnold: They all look pretty good to me from video footage but I guess you don’t really know until they get out there and do their thing on the big stage. As a former forward, I like the look of Butcher and I also like the cheeky confidence of Pittard. I hear he has a beautiful left foot kick so the boys up the ground will be licking their lips!

PAFC: Lastly, what do you hope most of all to bring to the Club in 2010?

Evan Arnold: A positive impact on revenue generation for the club and a culture of being a more capable, sales focused organisation.