Flinders University and South Adelaide take partnership to the next level

The South Adelaide Football Club is proud to announce that its partnership with Flinders University will go to the next level, with Flinders becoming its new stadium naming-rights partner.

The home of the Panthers will now be known as Flinders University Stadium, after Joint Major Partners Flinders University signed a five-year naming rights partnership with the Club.

This new agreement will see the relationship between South Adelaide and Flinders University enter its tenth year as it continues to go from strength to strength.

South Adelaide CEO Neill Sharpe said the Club was delighted to have Flinders University, leading tertiary educators, further increase their support for the Panthers.

"Our partnership with Flinders University, which dates all the way back to 2010, has been outstanding by kicking goals for both organisations," said Mr Sharpe.

"This connection has provided many of our players and staff with a pathway for a great education that prepares them for life outside of football.

"In turn we have been able to assist with Flinders University's education programs by providing their students invaluable real-world experience within an elite sporting program."

Callista Thillou, Executive Director of Communication and Engagement at Flinders University, said the partnership will have a positive impact for all South Australians.

"While Flinders is committed to exceptional to teaching and learning, our flourishing partnership with SAFC will also make a real difference in the broader community, by sharing the benefits of our research and contributing to a healthier, fitter and more socially active society," Ms Thillou said.

"Through the life of this partnership we have also inspired players to study at the same time as pursuing their football dream, providing a post-elite sport career pathway".

The burgeoning relationship between South Adelaide and Flinders University is exemplified by the industry-leading High Performance Training program provided to South Adelaide's Under-16 Panther Academy by Flinders Sport, Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) Research Centre.

During the yearly two-day training program, the young Panthers receive a taste of AFL Draft Camp conditions, with exposure to elite fitness testing, skill analysis technology, coaching and education normally only available to elite footballers.

The program is delivered by Flinders students, giving them hands on experience with elite athletes that provide practical outcomes for research.

The program also has a multidisciplinary approach, which introduces young footballers to an elite football lifestyle, while also encouraging them to think about life beyond football.

South Adelaide has also benefitted from access to the latest thinking and methodologies in a range of areas, including physical education, physiotherapy, nutrition and dietetics, marketing and finance through research student placements, which provide Flinders students with real-world experience in both the football and administration departments of the Club.

Meanwhile, the football club has also worked with the University's commercialisation arm Flinders Partners in the testing and research for their revolutionary two-part hydration system PREP'D.

The home of South Adelaide previously bore the name of Alan Hickinbotham, recognising his significant contribution at the Club as a player, captain, coach and president, and his legacy will continue at the club in a different form.