PORT Adelaide High Performance Manager Darren Burgess has signed a three-year contract extension that will ensure he remains at Alberton until at least the end of 2018.



Burgess, who was head of fitness at Port Adelaide from 2005 to 2007, returned to the club in October 2012 after spending five years in international sport with the Socceroos and EPL giant Liverpool.



Port Adelaide Chief Executive Keith Thomas says the contract extension for Burgess is recognition of the outstanding impact he has had at Port Adelaide over the last 18 months.



“Darren has been widely recognised for the exceptional influence he has already had on our playing group in such a short time,” said Mr Thomas.



“He is a world class resource for Ken Hinkley and the coaching group and has instilled enormous confidence and belief within our players.



“We feel a special window of opportunity exists for our young playing group over the next few years and it is great to know Darren will oversee our high performance program during this period.



“Darren is incredibly well-versed with all the latest high performance initiatives but also believes in the age-old philosophy that working hard, particularly in the heat of pre-season, will achieve the best results,” said Mr Thomas.



Mr Thomas says that Burgess will also play an important role in the club’s new high performance partnership with the University of South Australia announced last week.



“Darren is an important part of our strategy for Port Adelaide and South Australia to become a global focal point for developing high performance coaches and research,” said Mr Thomas.



“He will take on a leadership role within this program and help establish the high performance curriculum and maximise our broader relationship with UniSA.



“Most significantly, Darren will play an integral role in taking our high performance program to other sports and its healthy living messages to disadvantaged communities and the aged.



“And the real beauty of Darren’s role in this unique partnership is that there will be learning both ways. Not only will UniSA benefit from Darren’s involvement but Port Adelaide will be at a significant advantage as he will bring the knowledge he learns back into our high performance program.”



Burgess says he is delighted to extend his contract at Port Adelaide and is confident the playing group is on the verge of sustained success.



“When I returned from the UK in 2012 I always wanted to come back to Port Adelaide because I loved my time here before and consider myself a Port Adelaide person through and through,” said Burgess.



“And after being back for 18 months I strongly believe we are on the brink of some very exciting times and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with our outstanding sports science and medical team here at Port Adelaide.



“Our playing list is young, determined and hard-working, and because of this I’m confident that together we can build towards sustained success in the future.”



Burgess says he is also thrilled to play a role in the club’s high performance partnership with the University of South Australia.



“The high performance partnership with UniSA is a really significant step for the club and the industry as a whole,” said Burgess.



“This is a very extensive arrangement that will continue to evolve and I look forward to playing a leadership role in directing the research into appropriate pathways and working with lecturers and PHD students on the future direction of high performance.



“Significantly, I’ll be able to apply the high performance framework and knowledge that I acquire from this partnership into the high performance program here at Port Adelaide.”

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