PORT Adelaide has appointed three-time Olympian Juliet Haslam as its inaugural head of AFLW.
The Power are one of four teams – along with Essendon, Hawthorn and Sydney – to be joining the NAB AFLW competition in the 2022/23 season.
Haslam represented Australia in hockey at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, winning two gold medals and is in the Australian women's Team of the Century.
EXPLAINER Everything you need to know about AFLW expansion
"We are thrilled to announce Juliet Haslam as our first Head of AFLW. Great women have always been at the forefront of our club and Juliet continues this legacy," Port Adelaide CEO Matthew Richardson said.
"She brings a wealth of knowledge and personal experiences in elite women's sport, both as a player and administrator.
"Upon retiring as a player, Juliet has built an impressive corporate, marketing and consultancy career working for a range of organisations including Coca-Cola and Sarah Homes.
"She has also served on the boards of Hockey SA and Hockey Australia, as well as the SA Sports Institute and the Board of Governors for the SA Hall of Fame. Most recently, Juliet has been working with the Australian Institute of Sport's 'Gold Medal Ready' program helping to prepare Australia's Olympic athletes for the Tokyo Games, which was one of Australia's most successful ever Olympic performances."
Richardson said Haslam's experience in working with elite athletes across a variety of sports holds her in good stead for the wide-ranging role, which includes footy operations, culture, coaching appointments, list management and high performance.
"To be the first official appointment within the club's AFLW program is an honour and an opportunity I am very much looking forward to," Haslam said.
"I've watched closely the development of the AFLW competition over the last five years, and to now have this opportunity to be involved and help build a successful program at my club is incredibly exciting.
"I am excited by the club's bold vision, including the transformation of the Alberton Oval precinct and the important role that AFLW will play in shaping the Port Adelaide football club of the future.
EVERY CLUB’S LIST Your squad for the 2022 season
"Our female athletes will enjoy world class training facilities and Alberton will transform into a national broadcast venue for AFLW. To provide future generations of young girls and women a pathway to represent Port Adelaide on the national stage is inspiring.
"Whilst my history with the club brings fond memories, it's the future of the club that has me most excited with AFLW being an important part of that.
"Most importantly, Port Adelaide is inclusive, progressive and professional. I can't wait to start and build an AFLW program that will give us our best opportunity for success."
