South East Melbourne Phoenix Partners with Maple Living for NBL26 Season

The South East Melbourne Phoenix has announced a new official partnership with Maple Living, a Victorian-based Australian-owned builder, for the upcoming NBL26 season.

This collaboration signifies the ongoing efforts by NBL clubs to secure local corporate support, aligning with businesses that can connect with their community and fan base.

Commenting on the partnership, Phoenix chief executive, Simon Derrick said: “We’re pleased to be teaming up with a great Victorian organisation in Maple Living, and look forward to sharing the journey as we continue to strengthen our programs both on and off the court,” he stated. This emphasis on local connections highlights the NBL’s strategy of embedding clubs within their geographical areas to foster deeper fan engagement and secure regional business support.

Articulating the strategic rationale for the builder, director at Maple Living, Anthony Wardan, added: “Aligning with an ambitious and rapidly rising club like South East Phoenix presents an incredible opportunity to elevate the Maple Living brand.”

For a company like Maple Living, which specialises in home building, a partnership with a professional sports club offers a direct avenue to engage with a passionate community and enhance brand visibility within its primary market.

Wardan also noted the desire to inspire the next generation through shared values of growth, excellence, and long-term impact, indicating a community-focused aspect to their sponsorship objectives beyond mere brand exposure.

Maple Living’s branding will be featured as part of the partnership, though specific asset placements beyond “official partner” status were not detailed in the announcement.

The nature of the collaboration is framed by both parties around shared values of growth, excellence, and long-term impact.

For the Phoenix, bringing in a local partner like Maple Living helps to strengthen its ties within the community it represents in Melbourne’s south-east, a critical aspect of club growth both on and off the court.

The partnership comes as the NBL continues to grow its commercial footprint, with the NBL26 season anticipated to tip off in mid-September, featuring an increased number of games and the introduction of an in-season tournament, the Ignite Cup.

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