A powerful connection
A group of UniSA AusAID students gets a taste of Aussie rules.
Understand Australian football and you understand the Australian mind.
Well, maybe not quite, but experiencing an AFL game is a great introduction to Australian sport’s culture.
The Port Adelaide Football Club generously donated tickets to UniSA’s international AusAID-sponsored students to see Port Power play Carlton at AAMI Stadium last month.
Students provided some delightful feedback on their unique football match experience.
Yanti Sihotang, who recently arrived from Indonesia, summed up the students’ experience and gratitude.
"I enjoyed the game so much!" Yanti said.
"It was difficult to follow the ball because it was so small and all the players were running so quickly. Fortunately, I sat close to a man who I thought was a real Port Adelaide supporter. He yelled POWER! three times every time Port Adelaide succeeded to strike a goal.
"In front of me, there were groups with Port Adelaide flags who
would fly the flags with every goal made. It was really an exciting
experience to watch. But the excitement did not stop when the game
was over. On the bus on the way home, all the people on the bus were
still talking about it.
It really was footy mania!
"I’m so lucky because I have finally watched an Aussie football game completely with an enthusiastic environment and live! Thank you for giving me this wonderful and unforgettable moment while I’m studying in Adelaide."
It was clear that their AFL experience has given students a unique lifelong memory to take back home – and has also boosted the number of Port Power fans!
by Gina Stephens
Project Officer
Government Sponsorships
UniSA International