Building on the successful delivery of a first-of-its kind sports education pathway, the Port Adelaide Football Club and Flinders University have embarked on a new multi-year partnership to strengthen their joint education offerings tailored for sports careers and enhance community engagement.
As the Official Education Partner of the Port Adelaide Football Club, Flinders University will explore joint opportunities to support the club's AFL, AFLW and community programs and showcase the university's new city campus where students in Adelaide's suburbs can easily access state-of-the-art learning resources in 2024.
The new campus will also provide greater opportunities for student engagement, Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements and easy access to public transport to the city centre, with connections to the Tonsley and Bedford Park campuses via the rail link.
The new partnership follows the successful roll-out of the Diploma in Sports Management that provides students with opportunities for careers in the AFL and sports industry through a Flinders developed curriculum at Alberton Oval.
50 students are currently gaining valuable AFL industry knowledge in the year-long diploma at the Port Adelaide Academy of Sport where students can access elite performance facilities and industry experts across the clubs renowned men's and women's programs, through hands on work experience.
The university is also an integral supporter of the Santos Aboriginal Power Cup (SAPC), Port Adelaide's flagship community initiative to improve education outcomes in Indigenous communities. The new partnership now offers the opportunity to explore further collaborations through education and community engagement programs.
Flinders student and staff will also attend the SAPC Career Expo and participate in classroom sessions, and in-game roles during the footy carnival.
Flinders University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students) Professor Romy Lawson says the strengthened partnership between the university and Port Adelaide Football Club will continue to develop synergies across education and sport at the new city campus.
"By strengthening our partnership with Port Adelaide we're intent on bolstering sporting and educational outcomes and building on the innovative pathways established through the Diploma in Sports Management at the university's new city campus," says Professor Lawson.
"The campus is only a short stroll from Adelaide Oval where Port Adelaide play their home games and taking this next step will enable both Flinders University and the club to seek out future opportunities that benefit our students and offer learning experiences beyond traditional study".
Port Adelaide Football Club CEO, Matthew Richardson said he's proud to partner with Flinders University.
"We're proud to announce this partnership with Flinders University. It follows the highly successful launch of the Port Adelaide Academy of Sport Program and their ongoing support of the Santos Aboriginal Power Cup," Mr. Richardson said.
"Sport provides significant career pathway opportunities for young people. Combining a passion for sport with a career across a broad range of professional streams is a fantastic way for people to build their career with practical experience and insights within an AFL football club environment.
"We are excited about the growth opportunities this partnership with Flinders University presents. The Port Adelaide Academy of Sport's partnership with Flinders has been a major success in year one and we look froward to building on and expanding this over the next few years".
