International tennis coach Darren Cahill joins the board at Port Adelaide

He has coached three players to become the world No. 1 in tennis but, now on a break from coaching, Darren Cahill is joining Port Adelaide’s board as a director.

Simona Halep of Romania and coach Darren Cahill take a break during a practice session ahead of the 2018 French Open. Picture: Getty Images

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International tennis coach and commentator Darren Cahill has joined the Port Adelaide board.

Cahill, 53, the son of 10-time Magpies premiership coach and inaugural Power coach John, will become a director while on a break from a remarkable career in tennis.

He coached three world No. 1s: Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi and Simona Halep.

But throughout his travels around the world as a player — he was also part of the Davis Cup team — and coach he has always kept a keen eye on Port Adelaide, to which he will now add cutting-edge knowledge.

Cahill last month announced he would take a 12-month break from the grind of coaching on the tour to spend more time with his family as his children are entering the final years of their education.

We are thrilled to announce Darren Cahill has joined the Port Adelaide Board of Directors

READ ➡️ https://t.co/MyT11T2GpF #weareportadelaide pic.twitter.com/V1YdULMNjC

— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) December 7, 2018

He joins the Port Adelaide board on an invitation from chairman David Koch, who was chuffed with the addition to the boardroom at Alberton.

“We are thrilled to have Darren join Port Adelaide in this official capacity,” Koch said. “I’ve been interested in Darren joining our board for some time and we’ve both agreed that now is the perfect time.

“To have someone with Darren’s resume in professional world sport joining our board, particularly from a high-performance and athletic development perspective, is a massive coup for our club.

Tennis legend Chris Evert with Adelaide tennis coach and Port Adelaide fan Darren Cahill.

“And of course, we all know the passion that Darren has for Port Adelaide having grown up here at the club and most recently as an official club ambassador.

Cahill echoed Koch’s sentiments that the timing was ideal.

“I have been close to David Koch for some time and now feels like the right time to take on this challenge at the club that I love,” Cahill said. “I feel I can add great value to the club’s board and I can’t wait to start getting involved.

“I have no doubt the club is heading in the right direction both on and off the field and to be involved in this capacity is very exciting.

“I grew up loving this club and although I’ve been away for many years on the other side of the world I have always followed the club’s progress with great interest.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to have been a club ambassador over recent years and worked on some club projects which has kept me connected with the club.

“I’m looking forward now to assisting David and his board taking this great club forward over the next period of time in a more official capacity.”