Chalmers named new Number One Ticket Holder

The Adelaide 36ers are thrilled to announce Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers OAM as the club’s new Number One Ticket Holder.

Born and raised in South Australia, Chalmers is one of Australia’s most accomplished athletes. A world-record holding swimmer, he has represented Australia at three Olympic Games and competed at the highest level across countless national and international events.

Chalmers burst onto the world stage at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, stunning the swimming world by winning gold in the prestigious 100m freestyle as a teenager. Now 28, Chalmers has amassed nine Olympic medals along with an extraordinary list of achievements that includes Oceanian and Australian records in the short-course 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle.

The announcement of Chalmers becoming Number One Ticket Holder was made at the 36ers' first home game of the season on Sunday, after he delivered the match ball.

Adelaide 36ers Owner and Executive Chairman Grant Kelley said Chalmers' lifelong connection to the club combined with his outstanding achievements and commitment to South Australia made him the ideal choice for the role.

“Kyle embodies everything we value at the Adelaide 36ers,” Mr Kelley said.

“He is a world-class competitor, a proud South Australian and, importantly, someone who has genuinely loved and supported this club since he was a boy.

“As one of Australia's most admired athletes, Kyle understands what it takes to perform under pressure and to represent your community with pride.

“He is a wonderful role model and ambassador for our state, and an outstanding fit as our club’s number one ticket holder.”

A long-time fan of the club, Chalmers happily admits to finding a way to watch his 36ers play at all times of the day and night, wherever he is in the world.

He has described being asked to become the club’s Number One Ticket Holder as a “huge honour”.

“There are so many incredible people in South Australia and so many really high profile, amazing people that support the Adelaide 36ers, so to have the honour of being asked to be the number one ticket holder is really actually quite hard to put into words,” Chalmers said.

“When Grant gave me a call, I was probably more so in shock. I didn’t really know what to expect when picking up the phone.

"I've always been a passionate South Australian sports fan and always followed the Adelaide 36ers.

“For years, my weekends have revolved around fitting in watching the 36ers games. Obviously, I don't get to watch every single game live at the moment with my own sporting career and travel commitments, but I know that once my sporting career is done, I'll be at as many home games as I possibly can be.

"It's also nice when I'm overseas to be able to flick on and watch an Adelaide game and it kind of just gives you that home feeling that you need sometimes when you're overseas for extended periods.

“I'm a super passionate fan and so I feel incredibly honoured to be asked to be the number one ticket holder.”

Chalmers succeeds the club’s previous Number One Ticket Holders, the late Ken Cole and Adelaide sporting icon Erin Phillips, who remains a strong supporter and ambassador for the club despite her interstate work commitments.