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s the 2021 AFL season continues on despite Australia’s current COVID-19 outbreak forcing changes to state borders and restrictions, here’s the top commercial partnerships from around the league in the past week.

Melbourne Football Club has announced Snooza as an official partner in a three-year partnership.

Snooza owner, Peter Sitch, said: “All of us at Snooza are extremely excited to partner with the Melbourne Football Club.”

“We’re a family run business and now third generation Demons, as dad played in the 1939 reserves premiership side for the club.

“We’ve got a great connection to Melbourne and look forward to developing this and aligning with fellow passionate Demons in the years to come,” he said.

Elsewhere in the league, Fremantle have announced the launch of the Sport, Business & Leadership Program in partnership with the Purple Hands Foundation and SEDA Group.

The program comprises of a one-year dual Diploma with access to work experience alongside industry experts, coaches, and elite athletes.

Fremantle CEO, Simon Garlick, said the program will allow participants to work and contribute to projects aligned to the strategic objectives of the club.

“The Sport, Business & Leadership Program not only provides students with unique learning opportunities in an elite sport context, it also provides students with the opportunity to help the Fremantle Dockers continue to deliver value to grassroots clubs, corporate partners, fans and the community,” Garlick said.

“We encourage you to explore this exclusive collaboration between the Fremantle Dockers, the Purple Hands Foundation and SEDA and we are confident that the program can help you develop the necessary skills and attributes for a successful future,” he said.

St Kilda Football Club has announced an extended, formal partnership with the South Metro Junior Football League (SMJFL), giving grassroots athletes access to the St Kilda Next Generation Academy.

St Kilda have also announced the launch of the Ahead of the Game mental health program in partnership with Movember.

The program, which is funded through donations from the inaugural Spud’s Game, aims to improve mental health, in particular for young men involved in sport.

Movember Australia country director, Rachel Carr, said the program is designed to teach mental health literacy and resilience to young athletes, coaches, and parents.

“By involving the whole community we’re able to create a supportive environment for these young players, improving their overall understanding of mental health problems while giving reassurance it’s no longer something they have to deal with alone,” Carr said.

“Exploring mental fitness and resilience not only helps them be better athletes but has the potential to increase their ability to bounce back when things get tough off the field.

“It’s an incredible way to honour the legacy of Danny Frawley, who was a pioneer for starting important conversations about mental health in the AFL community,” she said.

Lastly, the Hawthorn Football Club has announced the formalisation of its partnership with the Kingston City Council through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The MOU will see the Council deliver $5 million to the AFLW and community oval and pavilion at the Kennedy Community Centre, and adds to the existing $15 million investment from the Federal Government, and the commitment of funding from the Victorian Government in its recent budget.