Waalitj Marawar and BHP Extend Landmark Community Partnership Through 2029

Waalitj Marawar and BHP have officially extended their 20-year community partnership for another three years, ensuring the continued delivery of vital youth development and regional programs across Western Australia.

The renewal enters the collaboration into its third decade, focusing on empowering young people in the Pilbara and Goldfields through the national game.

Under the new agreement, the club and BHP will expand their focus on inclusion, cultural connection, and reconciliation outcomes in Port Hedland, Newman, and Kalgoorlie.

Commenting on the partnership extension, Waalitj Marawar CEO, Don Pyke, said: “We are incredibly proud of our long-term partnership with BHP, and we’re delighted to extend our collaboration as we enter our third decade together.”

“BHP has been an integral part of our AFLW team’s journey from ambitious beginnings to our first finals appearance last year and has supported the future of male and female football at grassroots level through our academy programs,” Pyke said.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the partnership, BHP Western Australia Iron Ore Asset president, Tim Day, added: “This partnership is about so much more than football, it’s about backing the communities where our people live and work and helping give young people the best possible start in life.”

“The team at Waalitj Marawar have developed strong connections in community, which enables them to work closely with schools and other organisations to provide extra support where it might be needed,” Day said.

Impact Beyond the Boundary

The initiatives delivered through this partnership extend well beyond traditional football pathways.

In the Pilbara, the program employs residential youth workers to facilitate community-based activities in remote locations. Innovative programs like aquatic football have been implemented to keep youth active in extreme heat while simultaneously improving water safety skills and incentivising school attendance.

A key pillar of the renewal is the continued support for female athletes. The Women and Girls Academy, which is directly linked to the Waalitj Marawar AFLW program, provides a structured environment that combines elite football development with education and personal wellbeing support.

BHP has been a major partner of the AFLW team since its inception, supporting the squad through its journey to a historic first finals appearance in 2025.

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