PORT ADELAIDE was able to give an inspirational young supporter a very special Christmas present at the end of last year, thanks to the generosity of the Port Adelaide community.
Walking into the backyard of their home on December 22,
Three years earlier, in 2014, ‘Tia’ – the sister of former Aboriginal AFL Academy player Elijah – was dealt some devastating news. The 16-year-old Port Adelaide supporter was diagnosed with a rare type of bone cancer.
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Extensive chemotherapy and an array of treatments saw Tia go into remission last year, but after keeping in close contact with the family, the club was informed of the tragic news that Tia’s situation had become terminal.
Aboriginal Programs Director Paul Vandenbergh said as soon as he heard the devastating news, he knew the club had to do something for Tia, Elijah
“It was a really emotional time for the family and for the club,” Vandenbergh told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“We just thought if we could do something to put a smile on the face of their family for Christmas – that would be a wonderful thing to do.”
Tia had circulated a personal wishlist on social media, and on that list was the dream of one day having her very own swimming pool.
Vandenbergh said they had originally just planned on installing a swimming pool in the Satala family’s backyard as a surprise…but the project slowly began to grow.
News of the story spread, and suddenly dozens of businesses were offering to help by donating goods to the project, and volunteer hands shot up to help make it all happen – led by Port Adelaide players themselves.
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“The amount of support from the community that was drummed up meant that we could do a whole backyard blitz,” Vandenbergh said.
“About 80
“Travis Boak, Ollie Wines, and Tommy Jonas were there to lend their support.
“Chad Wingard was there helping to dig the hole for the pool, and over a dozen players put their hands up to help.
“Keith Thomas was so supportive of this project – he kept sending us messages about how proud he was and how this is part of the club’s DNA.”
Throughout the process, the family and the club wanted to keep the backyard blitz a surprise from Tia – this meant telling the courageous 16-year-old a few little white lies to keep it all under wraps.
“A plumbing issue was the best we could come up with…and I suppose when you are putting in a pool, it isn’t untrue,” Vandenbergh said.
“We sent them for a holiday in Melbourne, followed by a trip to the Yorke Peninsula.
“The Adelaide Shores then put them up for about eight days so we could complete the project – an amazing gesture.”
Upon their return to Reynella, it was quite clear to Vandenbergh that Tia knew something had been happening out the back of her family home.
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“It was a little obvious when we put a microphone on her,” he said.
“She started getting emotional in the garage, and when the door opened and she saw her family and all of the contractors – it was an emotional moment for everyone involved.
“Moments like that are why I love working at the Port Adelaide Football Club – the community mentality that we have.
“Tia had this beautiful smile on her face just looking at the pool – it makes all of the hard work everyone has put in worthwhile.”
The Port Adelaide Football Club would like to thank...
- Darren Powell - Project Manager
- Statewide Pools
- Darryll Jurgens
- Bunnings
- Stratco
Bennefit Carpentry - Dylan Bennett- Lade Construction Services - Lachlan Lade
- Hills and City Construction - Joel Brown
- City of Onkaparinga Council
- Tino Tiana Joinery
- Adelaide Shores
- Fluro Bins - Scotty Weinert
- Hughes Constructions
- Davey Pumps
- Joe Tripodi - Earth Moving
- Tiger Crane Hire
- Territory Trades
- Paul Munns Instant Lawn
- Pimpala Landscapes
- BlueChip Electrical Services - Jimmy Blynda
- That
Make Up Place - Sami Gehlken - Minister Kyam Maher
- Kennards - Noarlunga
- Pure Envy Roof Restoration and Renovations
- Bray Painting - Jason Bray
- Mark Piovesan Photography
- Oxford Architects - Tim Williams
