Pantene Aims To Increase Female Participation In New Matildas’ Sponsorship Campaign
With research suggesting that up to 57 per cent of females stop playing sport by the age of twenty-four, Pantene, one of the world’s leading haircare brands, has partnered with the Westfield Matildas’ to inspire young women to continue to play sport and remain active.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) confirmed the announcement today, with Pantene signing on as an official partner of the team through to May 2021.
With the Westfield Matildas’ two-match friendly series against Chile kicking off in Parramatta in just two days’ time, Pantene has announced their alignment with Australia’s senior women’s national football team as the squad sets its sights on a successful Summer Olympic Games campaign at Tokyo 2020.
Several leading Matildas players will feature in this year’s ‘Ribbon of Strength’ campaign, an initiative organised by Pantene to encourage all women to overcome their fears, find their inner strength, and actively participate in sport.
Pantene’s Associate Marketing Director, Jane Wecker, said: “Pantene is delighted to be working with the FFA and the Westfield Matildas in their ongoing efforts to amplify female excellence in sport.
“Through our sponsorship of the Matildas, we are proud to support the FFA’s Football Your Way program, which aims to increase female participation in football nationally.”
“The Pantene Ribbon of Strength was created to inspire the future sports stars of Australia, and ultimately encourage more women and girls to participate in sports.
“By encouraging them to write their own messages of inspiration onto the ribbons, before being braided through their hair, we’re creating a movement of supportive women on the pitch, in the pool, or on the waves.”
FFA Chief Executive Officer, Mr David Gallop AM, recognised the Westfield Matildas’ partnership with Pantene.
“FFA and Pantene have shared values when it comes to the empowerment and advancement of women in Australia, so it is fantastic that they have thrown their support behind women’s football,” Gallop said.
“As Australia’s leading female sporting team, the Matildas are uniquely positioned to inspire young girls to take up or continue playing sport throughout their teens, twenties, and into later life.
“Sport, and particularly football provides many social, physical, and mental benefits, and this partnership ties in well to FFA’s ten-year Gender Equality Action Plan, which includes a target to reach fifty-fifty grassroots participation for males and females.”
.@TheMatildas are excited to be partnering with @Pantene and the #RibbonOfStrength campaign, to encourage Australian women to take pride in their sport, and know that together #WeAreUnbreakable. pic.twitter.com/jkpY4CQNXy
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 7, 2019
