Page 9 – Ministry of Sport

Australian Governor-General Visits Sri Lanka Cricket Stadium

Posted on August 11, 2025 by Courtney

Australian Governor-General, Ms Sam Mostyn AC, has reinforced Australia’s commitment to sports diplomacy with a visit to the Galle International Cricket Stadium.

Accompanied by Australia’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Mr Paul Stephens, Mostyn joined a light-hearted cricket match with young players from the Galle District’s age-group squads, underscoring her support for youth sport and bilateral engagement.

Strengthening Ties Through Cricket

Upon arrival, the Governor-General was welcomed by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials, with Honorary Secretary Mr Bandula Dissanayake providing an overview of the stadium’s history and significance in Sri Lankan cricket.

Mostyn also distributed cricket equipment to the aspiring athletes: a symbolic gesture aimed at supporting player development in the region and reinforcing the sporting links between Australia and Sri Lanka.

A Shared Enthusiasm for the Game

The event was attended by senior figures including Mr Dharamasiri Weeratunga (Government Agent, Galle District), Mr Chandima Mapatuna (Head of International Cricket, SLC), Mr Kamal Dharmasiri (Head of the National Development Centre), Mr Aruna De Silva (Head of Administration, SLC), and Mr Mahesh Sanjeewa (Secretary, Galle District Cricket Association).

Their presence reflected the collaborative nature of the occasion and the shared recognition of cricket as a unifying force between the two nations.

The visit not only bolsters the diplomatic relationship between Australia and Sri Lanka but also demonstrates the role of sport in fostering goodwill, cultural exchange, and youth engagement.

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Hockey New Zealand Appoints Michelle Hollands as CEO

Posted on August 11, 2025August 11, 2025 by Courtney

Hockey New Zealand has named Michelle Hollands as its new Chief Executive Officer, following a ten-month period under Acting CEO Ken Maplesden.

The appointment comes after an extensive search to replace Anthony Crummy, who stepped down in March for health reasons.

High-Performance and Commercial Experience

Hollands, a former Black Stick with 99 international caps, brings a combination of high-performance experience and commercial leadership to the role. She represented New Zealand at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and World Cup, and holds formal qualifications in physical education, sport management, and business administration.

Commenting on her appointment, and acknowledging her scope of the task ahead, Hollands, said: “looking forward to meeting and working with our many partners and stakeholders.”

Her success will depend on aligning those stakeholders across high-performance, commercial, and community pathways, as Hockey NZ navigates a competitive sport participation landscape and increasing pressure to secure diversified revenue streams.

Governance and Strategic Credentials

Hollands has served on boards including the Oceania Hockey Federation, Badminton New Zealand, and Northern Districts Cricket, and is a chartered member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. Her professional background spans senior roles in sport, regional development, and consulting, with a focus on strategic transformation and stakeholder engagement.

Her consulting firm, Freshminds, has worked with national sporting bodies such as NZ Rugby, Rowing NZ, Basketball NZ and Hockey NZ, contributing to system-wide reviews and strategy design. Notably, she led Hockey NZ’s sport-wide pathways design project, Hiki Tu, in 2023 and played a key role in the 2021 high-performance review, Project Kahurangi.

Hollands’ familiarity with the organisation’s internal processes and recent projects positions her to accelerate implementation rather than initiate wholesale change.

The organisation’s stated priorities include strengthening high-performance systems, expanding grassroots participation, growing audience engagement, and building financial sustainability, as some objectives that will require balancing elite program demands with community development investment.

Acting CEO Ken Maplesden, who has held senior positions at Hockey NZ for nine years, will remain in place until Hollands begins on 8 October. His departure marks the end of a period in which the organisation managed leadership transition alongside broader sector challenges, including resource constraints and post-pandemic recovery in participation.

Cambridge United to Host TechGirl Festival 2025

Posted on August 11, 2025 by Courtney

Cambridge United will host the TechGirl Festival 2025 on 28 August in partnership with UK-based tech network HotTopics. The event aims to mentor young women aged 16–21 through direct engagement with senior technology executives, culminating in a practical competition to enhance the club’s match day operations.

Participants will develop solutions to improve ticketing systems, fan experience, and food and beverage processes — areas of increasing commercial importance for sports organisations seeking to optimise revenue streams and match day satisfaction.

Combining Inclusion with Innovation

While positioned as an inclusion and empowerment initiative, the festival also functions as a targeted ideation lab for Cambridge United, offering fresh perspectives on customer experience challenges. This dual purpose reflects a growing industry trend in which community-focused programmes are leveraged to deliver commercially applicable innovations.

CEO Alex Tunbridge connected the initiative to the club’s broader social impact agenda. However, the focus on technology-driven operational gains aligns closely with sector priorities such as digital ticketing adoption, queue management, and personalised fan engagement. These areas are increasingly critical as clubs seek to retain attendance and increase per-capita spend in a competitive entertainment market.

Action-Oriented Outcomes

HotTopics CEO Philip Randerson highlighted the program’s design, noting that the mentorship and project-based format is intended to produce tangible outcomes rather than limit activity to awareness-raising.

For rights holders, partnerships like the TechGirl Festival present dual benefits: delivering measurable community engagement for CSR reporting, while also contributing to strategic infrastructure and service improvements.

The initiative also serves as an informal talent pipeline, exposing participants to real-world operational challenges within a professional football club. By doing so, Cambridge United may help cultivate the next generation of technology professionals capable of operating within sports industry contexts.

Athletes First Adds Sinclair as Sports Media Partner

Posted on August 11, 2025 by Courtney

Athletes First has entered a multi-year partnership with telecommunications company Sinclair and its sports content arm, AMP Sports, in a move aimed at increasing the agency’s media presence and event commercialisation opportunities.

The agreement will see AMP Sports become the exclusive sports media partner for Athletes First, producing original content and brand activations linked to the agency’s Super Bowl hospitality hub, The Block, as well as its travelling college football series, Tailgate Tour.

Sinclair’s Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Monetisation Officer, Eric Welles, said his interest was sparked after attending The Block in New Orleans last year, which hosted clients such as Dak Prescott and Ed Reed, and featured live shows with Shaquille O’Neal and Marshawn Lynch.

“I immediately called the president of my company because I saw these brand activations going on.”

“It’s better than any event I’ve ever been to at a major sporting event, period.

“Athletes First needed a media partner to enhance visibility, draw in additional talent, and facilitate access to brands… We’re going to be their megaphone,” Welles said.

New video podcasts featuring Athletes First’s athlete roster will also be developed, with distribution across Sinclair’s network of 180 local broadcast stations—reaching more than 100 million homes.

The deal, brokered by Playbook REPS, comes with no disclosed financial terms. Both parties are actively seeking sponsorship rights tied to the content and associated events, signalling potential commercial upside for brands seeking access to NFL and college football audiences.

Strategic implication of the partnership

The partnership aligns with Athletes First’s push to create “tentpole” cultural events around high-profile sporting moments.

Head of Properties at Athletes First, Matt Shulman, said the agency’s leadership aimed to leverage opportunities from the Super Bowl to marquee college football matchups, noting Sinclair’s reach as a key factor in scaling the impact of the agency’s 15 existing sports podcasts.

The move reflects a broader industry trend in which athlete representation agencies are expanding into event ownership and media production to diversify revenue streams and strengthen brand positioning.

Athletes First’s recent growth includes launching the Athletes First Classic and Big & Beautiful events, onboarding NFLPA agent Tory Dandy, and earning recognition in Forbes’ rankings of valuable sports agencies.

Washington Spirit Debuts SomosSpirit

Posted on August 8, 2025 by Courtney

The Washington Spirit have become the first club in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) to launch dedicated Spanish-language social media accounts, in a move aimed at strengthening ties with Hispanic audiences both locally and internationally.

The @SomosSpirit channels, live on X and Instagram, form part of the club’s broader community engagement strategy and mark a step toward diversifying fan outreach.

The initiative comes at a time when the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region’s Hispanic population exceeds 1.1 million, representing a significant and growing demographic for sports rights holders in the area.

Commenting on the launch, Washington Spirit Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Cathy Jerome, said the channels are designed to “bring our brand and story directly” to Spanish-speaking supporters, adding that the club’s aim is to engage “a dynamic and passionate audience” through culturally relevant content.

The Spirit’s approach aligns with wider industry trends in North American sport, where teams across major leagues are investing in multilingual content to deepen market penetration and strengthen brand loyalty. The club’s competitive advantage is amplified by the presence of Spanish-speaking talent, including head coach Adrián González, Mexico international Rebeca Bernal, and Colombia’s Leicy Santos, enabling more authentic storytelling.

In their first two weeks, the @SomosSpirit Instagram account has attracted more than 900 followers and over 9,000 interactions, driven partly by coverage of the Spirit’s recent win over Portland Thorns, presented entirely in Spanish.

While modest in raw numbers, early engagement suggests strong audience appetite and potential for growth if supported by sustained, high-quality content.

The expansion presents new sponsorship activation opportunities targeting the Hispanic market, both within the DMV and in key international football territories. It also positions the Spirit to attract brands seeking alignment with diversity and inclusion initiatives in sport.

The Spirit will continue their NWSL campaign this weekend in the league’s inaugural Rivalry Weekend, facing Gotham FC on tomorrow before returning to Audi Field on 15 August against Racing Louisville.

Kansas City Current Expands Community Infrastructure with Fourth Mini-Pitch

Posted on August 8, 2025 by Courtney

The Kansas City Current has opened its fourth community mini-pitch in the Kansas City metropolitan area, continuing its investment in grassroots football infrastructure and local engagement.

The latest facility, unveiled at Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy (KCGPA), was developed through a partnership with the United Way of Greater Kansas City, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Cargill, and UMB Bank. The project builds on previous installations at Ashland Square Park (2022) and at Central Park and Banneker Elementary School (2023).

For the Current, the initiative represents both a community development exercise and a strategic brand positioning effort within the market, aligning with a broader National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) trend of leveraging grassroots infrastructure to strengthen local fan bases and long-term participation pathways.

Kansas City Current president Raven Jemison framed the collaboration as a means to deepen the club’s local connections, noting that the project extends opportunities for youth to access safe, structured sporting spaces.

KCGPA, the city’s only single-gender public school for girls, expects the mini-pitch to enhance both its curriculum and extracurricular offerings. According to KCGPA CEO Dr. Nicole Smith, the facility will play a role in building skills such as teamwork, confidence, and leadership—attributes increasingly tied to sport’s role in education policy and social impact outcomes.

The initiative is part of the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Safe Places to Play program, which is aiming to create 1,000 mini-pitches nationally by 2026, with over 800 already built.

Participation in this program offers both reputational and operational value: it ties them into a national infrastructure network, delivers measurable community engagement metrics, and positions them favourably with potential sponsors prioritising social impact portfolios.

United Way of Greater Kansas City, the Current’s official charity partner, has been a consistent collaborator in the club’s outreach work.

Chief Operating and Financial Officer Ann Gaffigan said the new facility represented another step in “enhancing youth opportunity” in the city, a comment that underscores the program’s alignment with the organisation’s broader investment in community resilience.

Cricket Victoria and CPL Announce Partnership to Advance Player Development

Posted on August 8, 2025 by Courtney

Cricket Victoria has announced a new partnership with Cricket Performance Lab (CPL), a collective of multi-sport professionals that focuses on enhancing the relationship between athletes and their equipment, specifically within cricket.

This collaboration highlights Cricket Victoria’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in player development through a more integrated approach that connects elite pathways with the broader cricket community.

The partnership aims to create an inclusive environment that champions forward-thinking practices in the sport.

Commenting on the partnership, General Manager of High Performance at Cricket Victoria, Graham Manou, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Cricket Performance Lab to bring world-class sports science into our development pathways.”

“This collaboration will enhance our ability to support players with data-driven insights and ensure Victoria remains at the forefront of cricket innovation,” Manou expressed.

Adding excitement about the partnership, marking this as their first strategic engagement with a professional cricket organisation, CEO of Cricket Performance Lab, Shannon Young, said: “We are excited to partner with Cricket Victoria, bringing our cutting-edge technology and knowledge to adapt, innovate, and evolve together to power athlete development and in-game performance.”

Highlighting the significance of this initiative, General Manager of Consumer Business at Cricket Victoria, Dylan Prescott, said: “This partnership is a fantastic opportunity to bridge the gap between our elite pathways and the broader cricket community.”

“By opening access to CPL’s services, we’re empowering everyday players to benefit from the same insights and tools used by elite cricketers, thus strengthening the connection between grassroots and high-performance cricket,” Prescott concluded.

The integration of CPL’s advanced technology and expertise into Cricket Victoria’s high-performance programs promises to provide players with rich insights into their batting mechanics. This approach allows coaches to tailor training regimens to meet the specific needs of individual athletes, thereby maximising their potential.

CPL’s methodology has been honed over two decades of extensive research spanning cricket, golf, and baseball. It emphasises the crucial interaction between athletes and their equipment, particularly how cricketers engage with their bats in play. Central to CPL’s offerings is the Balance Point Index (BPI), a unique metric that assesses the pickup and balance of a cricket bat, enabling players to select equipment that suits their playing style.

Moreover, CPL is set to extend its services beyond elite and emerging players by opening its facilities to the public. Located at the CitiPower Centre, the state-of-the-art equipment and analytics capabilities will offer community players, coaches, and cricket enthusiasts’ access to sophisticated swing analysis and performance insights, with doors opening to the public in August.

MyPlace Expands Sponsorship to Support Eagles AFLW Team

Posted on August 7, 2025 by Courtney

The West Coast Eagles have announced a collaboration with MyPlace, as the partnership now extends to include sponsorship of the club’s AFLW team.

This move highlights MyPlace’s ongoing dedication to Australian sport, particularly in fostering the growth of women’s football.

Expressing enthusiasm for this expansion, West Coast Eagles CEO, Don Pyke, said: “We’re thrilled to have MyPlace expand their partnership to incorporate our AFLW program.”

“This expansion shows MyPlace’s passion and dedication to advancing women’s sport, and we look forward to working with them in a club-wide capacity going forward,” Pyke said.

This initiative aligns with MyPlace’s broader brand vision, which focuses on inclusivity and community engagement through sport.

MyPlace Managing Director, David Devoy, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, noting the shared values between the two organisations.

“More than 35 years ago we started in the garage of a suburban Perth home; today we are a national outfit that leads in our sector. We know what it takes to build a brand from the ground up,”

“We want to see the AFLW continue to grow and are excited to play a role in its success. This is about supporting opportunities for women in sport and connecting with communities across Australia,” Mr Devoy remarked.

As part of this partnership, MyPlace branding will be noticeably displayed on crucial media assets, including the AFLW media polo and the media wall. This strategic placement is designed to boost visibility during press conferences, interviews, and across various digital content platforms.

As an Australian manufacturer specialising in energy-efficient, affordable smart home air conditioning and home technology, MyPlace is committed to contributing to the advancement of national sport.

St Kilda Break Membership Record for Sixth Consecutive Year

Posted on August 7, 2025 by Courtney

St Kilda Football Club has achieved a remarkable milestone by recording an all-time high of 64,314 members in 2025. This marks the sixth consecutive year of membership growth, setting a new benchmark in the club’s rich history.

Expressing gratitude and recognition for this loyalty, CEO Carl Dilena emphasised the crucial role that members play in shaping the club’s culture and future direction.

“Our members are the beating heart of our football club.”

“To break our membership record for the sixth year running is an incredible achievement and a powerful reflection of the pride, loyalty, and passion of the St Kilda community,” Dilena stated.

Dilena added that such backing enables meaningful expansion efforts, from growing the club’s presence in Melbourne’s south to strengthening its football programs, attracting and nurturing elite talent, and building a community-centric organisation.

“The commitment of our members influences our ability to invest in our future. It’s something we never take for granted.

“Saints fans have stuck with us through thick and thin, and this milestone speaks volumes about the strength of our supporter base,” Dilena concluded.

As the club continues to build upon this foundation, the unwavering support of its members remains a vital element in St Kilda’s ongoing journey.

The 2025 membership results are built on solid momentum throughout the club, emphasising the importance of developing commercial partnerships, engaging with the community, and advancing the club’s dedication to mental health initiatives through the Danny Frawley Centre.

NSW Rugby Union Announces New Partnership with Coopers Brewery

Posted on August 7, 2025August 7, 2025 by Courtney

The NSW Rugby Union (NSWRU) and the wider rugby delegation has formed a multi-year partnership with the Coopers, Australia’s largest independent brewery.

This collaboration positions Coopers as the Official Beer Partner of NSWRU, providing vital support to Sydney Rugby Union, Suburban Rugby, Country Rugby, and numerous grassroots competitions across New South Wales.

This partnership highlights a strong alliance between two entities that are deeply connected to their local communities, showcasing a mutual commitment to nurturing the rugby sport at all levels.

Coopers’ engagement will also encompass key rugby competitions, including the prestigious Shute Shield, Sydney’s Suburban Rugby, affectionately referred to as “Subbies,” and NSW Country Rugby. This ensures that the partnership will actively engage players, fans, and volunteers throughout the state’s diverse regions.

Welcoming the Coopers into the rugby community, and highlighting the collaboration, CEO of NSW Rugby Union, Peter Murphy, said: “Coopers is a name that resonates across households and has a rich history of bringing people together—much like the essence of rugby.”

“The camaraderie and connection that thrive within rugby in NSW align perfectly with Coopers’ narrative,” Murphy said.

Murphy emphasised the partnership’s potential to enhance investment in the sport’s future, improve match day experiences, and support clubs and competitions in metropolitan, suburban, and rural areas.

Expressing excitement at the chance to strengthen the company’s dedication to Australian sports through this partnership, Managing Director of Coopers Brewery, Michael Shearer, added: “Coopers has always recognised the power of sport to unite.”

“Rugby in New South Wales is integral to many communities, from inner-city clubs to country towns, and we are proud to contribute to that legacy,” Shearer expressed.

Fans can look forward to enjoying Coopers products at local matches, community events, and rugby clubhouses participating in Sydney Rugby Union, Suburban Rugby, and NSW Country Rugby competitions.

Engagement initiatives will include special promotions and activations, allowing supporters to celebrate their passion for the game alongside Australia’s beloved family-owned brewery.

Since its inception in 1862, Coopers Brewery has been celebrated for its high-quality brews and commitment to traditional brewing methods. With a legacy that spans over 160 years, Coopers continues to foster connections and celebrate the joys of shared moments over exceptional beer.

Port Adelaide Announced Partnership with Coles and Nova 919 to Boost Community Engagement

Posted on August 7, 2025 by Courtney

Port Adelaide has announced a partnership with Coles and Nova 919. This collaboration aims to secure the future of the club, which has been grappling with a pressing shortage of players across all age groups.

Located in Adelaide’s western suburbs, West Croydon Football Club is a community-focused club facing critical challenges that threaten its existence.

Despite recent investments in facility upgrades, the club is still unable to field complete teams, necessitating a rapid increase in player participation to ensure its doors remain open. This focus is particularly important for fostering a supportive environment for young footballers in the area.

The club has become a vital part of a diverse community, many of whom face socio-economic challenges that hinder their ability to participate in local sports. Issues such as transport limitations and financial constraints have historically limited access to traditional AFL development pathways, contributing to decreased grassroots football registrations.

Recognising these challenges, the new partnership among Coles, Nova 919, and Port Adelaide is strategically tailored to rebuild the club’s player base and enhance community engagement.

The initiative aims to double-team participation by the 2026 season, channelling resources into investment, awareness, and grassroots activities.

Support provided through this partnership will embrace the provision of new guernseys, goal post safety padding, training equipment, as well as signage and branding.

Furthermore, a dedicated marketing campaign will bolster West Croydon’s visibility and outreach, equipping the club with the necessary tools to flourish and inspire future generations.

The initiative will culminate in a free community event featuring Port Adelaide’s AFL and AFLW players, designed to raise awareness and encourage local registrations for the upcoming season.

Beaumont Tiles Extends Partnership Across NBL26

Posted on August 7, 2025 by Courtney

Melbourne United has secured a renewed commercial partnership with Beaumont Tiles, confirming the national retailer’s continued sponsorship through the upcoming NBL26 season.

The extension marks the fifth consecutive year of collaboration between the two organisations, with Beaumont Tiles first joining United as a sponsor during the NBL22 campaign.

The continuation of the deal reflects the club’s strategy of building long-term partnerships with brands that share a focus on excellence and national visibility.

Commenting on the partnership extension, United CEO Nick Truelson explained that the extension is an example of strategic alignment, stating the club seeks to work with “like-minded partners” who operate at a high standard in their respective sectors.

Beaumont Tiles, which operates more than 100 showrooms across Australia, is leveraging the sponsorship to reinforce its brand presence with a broad consumer base that includes families, renovators, and design professionals, a demographic that also align with basketball’s growing audience in Australia.

The partnership also supports Beaumont Tiles’ wider marketing strategy of community connection and lifestyle branding.

CEO Heath Hopwood described basketball as a “sport embraced by families and communities,” indicating that the sponsorship provides value beyond traditional brand exposure, particularly through its association with Melbourne United’s community engagement efforts.

The renewal reflects a broader trend within the NBL, where clubs are increasingly looking to multi-year partnerships to build consistency and deepen sponsor integration across media, digital, and event platforms.

With NBL26 on the horizon, Melbourne United enters the new season with a stable roster of corporate partners, positioning the club strongly in a commercial landscape where continuity and partner alignment are key to long-term sustainability.

Macarthur FC Signs Brolen Homes in Two-Year Local Partnership

Posted on August 7, 2025 by Courtney

Macarthur FC has confirmed a two-year commercial partnership with residential builder Brolen Homes, strengthening the club’s alignment with businesses embedded in South West Sydney’s growing corridor.

The agreement will see Brolen Homes become an official partner of the A-League Men’s club, with both parties expected to engage in joint community initiatives and brand activations targeting families and residents in the region.

Commenting on the partnership, Macarthur FC’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mark Jensen, said: “a perfect addition” to the club’s commercial network due to its established presence and community focus.”

“While the announcement reflects typical partner alignment language, the key strategic value appears to lie in co-branded initiatives that deepen fan engagement and sponsor visibility in the area’s residential growth market,” Jensen said.

Brolen Homes is leveraging sport to increase its brand awareness in a region undergoing rapid demographic and infrastructure shifts. Residential development in South West Sydney remains a main point for both private and public investment, and aligning with a local sporting property offers a pathway to community trust and long-term visibility.

Brolen Homes Director Ross Molluso emphasised the role of the partnership in reinforcing the company’s regional ties, stating that it aligns with their goal of building homes designed for families to thrive in.

For Macarthur FC, the deal adds another layer to its commercial portfolio, which has largely focused on partnerships with organisations that have strong geographic relevance.

In recent seasons, the club has emphasised local engagement as a core pillar of its off-field strategy, a necessary approach given the still-developing supporter base and competitive sponsorship landscape in Western Sydney.

KFC T20 Max Joins 7plus in Broadcast First for Queensland Cricket

Posted on August 6, 2025 by Courtney

The KFC T20 Max competition will be streamed live and free on 7plus Sport for the first time this month, following a new broadcast agreement with the Seven Network.

the KFC T20 Max has become an emerging fixture in the Australian domestic cricket landscape, offering a pre-season platform for state-contracted and Big Bash players to compete alongside Premier Cricket talent. This year’s competition will run from 20 August to 6 September, with selected men’s and women’s matches available to stream nationally.

For Queensland Cricket, the deal represents a key commercial and strategic development. By bringing T20 Max to a mainstream digital platform, the organisation enhances the visibility of its Premier Cricket ecosystem while aligning with a national broadcaster that holds the rights to flagship cricket properties such as the BBL, WBBL, and international fixtures.

Commenting on the announcement, Queensland Cricket’s General Manager of Commercial, Marketing & Corporate Affairs, Pete Lock, said:“This is an important step forward in amplifying our domestic talent pathway.

“Having matches on 7plus not only brings the game to more viewers but also provides broader opportunities for talent identification across men’s and women’s cricket.

“The Heat’s remaining BBL and WBBL spots will be filled based on T20 Max performances, which shows how influential the competition has become,” Lock added.

The addition of T20 Max further strengthens Seven Network’s digital cricket offering.

Expressing enthusiasm on the announcement, Seven’s Head of Digital – Sport department, Kirsty Bradmore, said: “We’re thrilled to showcase this level of emerging talent.”

“With this addition, cricket fans can now follow an even deeper layer of the domestic game – all in one place,” Bradmore expressed.

Previous editions of T20 Max have featured high-profile players such as Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Jess Jonassen, and Elyse Villani, alongside rising talents who have earned professional contracts after standout performances.

Pepper Money Focuses on Athlete’s Financial Resilience in Partnership with Wests Tigers

Posted on August 6, 2025 by Courtney

As part of its ongoing partnership with the Wests Tigers, non-bank lender Pepper Money has expanded its involvement with the club by delivering a financial literacy workshop aimed at helping players build long-term financial security.

Held at the club’s Centre of Excellence, the ‘Mastering Money On and Off the Field’ session was delivered by Pepper Money CEO Mario Rehayem. The workshop covered key financial topics, including budgeting, saving, long-term investing, and managing lifestyle-related expenses.

This initiative sits within Pepper Money’s broader partnership strategy and highlights the growing expectation for brands to deliver tangible benefits in athlete wellbeing and transition planning, beyond traditional sponsorship.

“The average rugby league career lasts just 45 games,” said Rehayem, as he addressed the playing group. “That short window comes with financial risk unless planning starts early.”

Players were encouraged to think ahead to post-retirement opportunities such as property investment, superannuation strategies, and seeking licensed financial advice.

The workshop was well received by the playing group, including Sunia ‘Tito’ Turuva and Jared Haywood, who praised the session’s practical insights.

From a commercial perspective, the activation reinforces Pepper Money’s positioning as a financial services brand committed to improving long-term outcomes for Australians. For the Wests Tigers, it demonstrates how value-aligned partnerships can complement in-house player welfare programming.

The initiative will also roll out to the NRLW squad in the coming weeks, broadening its impact across the club and supporting a consistent off-field development pathway.