The Melbourne Boomers have signed two deals, with Deakin University and Adairs, both with the aim of growing women’s sport in Australia.

The Boomers extended their naming rights partnership with Deakin through to 2024, stretching one of the most prominent women’s sport sponsorships in Australia to nine years in total.

As part of the agreement, Boomers and Australian Opal player, Ezi Magbegor, will be an ambassador for Deakin, where she will balance her study around her playing commitments.

Speaking on the partnership, Boomers chairman, Tony Hallam, said agreements such as these need to continue.

“Whilst women’s sport has made great strides in recent times, the reality is still that many professional female sporting teams in Australia need authentic partnerships like this to reach the next level of growth,” Hallam said.

“This partnership delivers that authenticity in spades.

“Ezi is the most recent in a long line of Deakin Melbourne Boomers players who have studied at Deakin, whilst Deakin students continue to undertake a wide range of placements at our club as part of their progressive, real-world learning.

“Many of them have made significant contributions to our organisation and, in turn, to women’s sport in Australia,” he said.

Meanwhile, Adairs have extended their partnership with the Boomers, signing on until 2023, with a strong commitment to improve and grow female sport together.

This new deal will take their overall partnership length to five years, with Adairs to continue giveaways at Boomers’ home games to give fans the opportunity to receive vouchers for the home wear store.

Speaking on the announcement, Boomers GM, Christy Collier-Hill said: the support of Adairs to improve the lives of female athletes in recent years has been remarkable, as we are excited to continue our strong partnership and grow female basketball in Melbourne – together.”