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- Mar 26, 2013
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Power signs first recruit from China
PORT ADELAIDE has signed its first Chinese-born recruit for the club’s academy at Alberton.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport...a/news-story/3dbfc5140ec5d5c6326d490736a79e09
...Team China captain Chen Shaoliang, 23, this week joined Port Adelaide on an AFL international scholarship for this season and, hopefully, next year as part of the Power’s ambitious plans in China.
Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas said his club was now looking at China beyond sponsorship deals and a long-planned pre-season game to emphasise more game development programs and new recruiting missions.
“Until now, I’ve not seen our China strategy as a talent-identification play,” Thomas said. “But every time I go to China and I see Chinese kids playing Australian football with real enthusiasm and love of the game, I ask, ‘Why not?’.” ....
...From Chaozhou in south China, Chen Shaoliang arrived at Alberton on Tuesday to join the Port Adelaide Magpies academy. The expectation is he will be in line for selection for the SANFL reserves within two months.
.... “There’s a good chance,” he said. “Now that I am here, (Chinese Australian footballers) will search for me on TV and on the Internet.”
That television and Internet feed will be produced by Port Adelaide. The Power opened the pathways to China two years ago with links to the Hong Kong Football Club...
....Chen Shaoliang will be fully immersed in the Port Adelaide system at Alberton with total access to the programs worked by senior coaches Ken Hinkley (Power) and Chad Cornes (Magpies) and the fitness system devised by Darren Burgess.
Port Adelaide’s intent to step up its China Strategy will be fully detailed in the next two months.
“Bringing Chen to Port Adelaide is part of our next chapter to engage with China,” Thomas said.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport...a/news-story/3dbfc5140ec5d5c6326d490736a79e09
http://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/video/2016-03-17/ptv-meet-chen-shaoliang
http://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/news/2016-03-17/team-china-skipper-to-play-for-port-adelaide
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