The AFL has announced the launch of a new business networking platform in partnership with Virgin Australia, aiming to drive key outcomes for Australia’s sports business community.

AFLConnect will allow members of the program to network with similar brands as part of the 1,350 businesses in the AFL ecosystem and receive regular promotions, offers, and content.

The platform will utilise structured forums, exclusive events, and an online marketplace, delivered by Marketplacer, with members able to promote their business, display their own offers, connect with other businesses, and complete transactions within the platform.

AFL executive general manager customer and commercial, Kylie Rogers, said AFLConnect will help take sport’s businesses to the next level with increased collaboration.

“We have a clear focus on growing the depth and breadth of our relationships with our partners & customers,” Rogers said.

“We are genuinely ‘better together’ and AFLConnect is a key initiative that will enable us to deliver more value for our customers than ever before through growing connections between our partner, member organizations and our fans.

“We are thrilled that many of our current corporate partners, most notably our AFLConnect presenting partner Virgin Australia and the AFL’s premier partner Toyota, are committed to AFLConnect and we look forward to welcoming members of our broader business network to the program going forward,” she said.

Virgin Australia Group chief commercial officer, Dave Emerson, said: “Since relaunching last year, we have reduced our corporate airfares by up to 70 per cent.”

“Through AFLConnect we will be able to showcase just how much value we bring to corporate travellers and small to medium-sized businesses who are part of the program, and who are emerging from the pandemic with less discretionary spend, but who value our award-winning service, safety and reliability.

“Virgin Australia is incredibly focused on growing its market share by providing some of the best value at every step of the customer journey and that’s already evident when purchasing an airfare or earning and redeeming Velocity Points.

“The AFL is the largest sporting code in the country, and through the hundreds of AFL businesses accessible through the AFLConnect program, we will be able to reach a whole new audience of potential customers and show them the value that we can bring them every time they fly,” he said.