Westpac is proud to announce a new era in its partnership with NSW Rugby League to deliver better support for the women’s game.
The agreement includes naming rights for the Westpac NSW Sky Blues and builds on the between Westpac and NSW Rugby League. The investment extends through every level of the sport, from the grassroots all the way to elite athletes participating in State of Origin.
- Westpac will become front of jersey sponsor of the NSW Sky Blues for the 2024 State of Origin series which kicks off in Brisbane on 16 May and features a three-game series for the first time.
- Westpac will support the Metro and Regional competitions for young female athletes, including the City v Country representative fixture.
- Westpac has assumed naming rights for the Tarsha Gale Cup (U19) and the Lisa Fiaola Cup (U17), which run competitions in both Sydney and regional NSW.
- Westpac will continue to invest in the NSW Emerging Sky Blues program, a talent identification pathway to identify and develop the Origin stars of tomorrow in cities and regional communities across the state.
The partnership was launched today at Westpac Open Air Cinema in Sydney.
Westpac Chief Brand & Marketing Officer Annabel Fribence said this was another demonstration of Westpac’s commitment to developing women’s sport in Australia. “Through this partnership, we know we can play such an important role in shaping how the game will look for women now, and in the years to come.
“Of course, being on the front of the Origin jersey is exciting, but I’m equally as excited that we’ll be out in communities in regional NSW and providing a tangible pathway to allow young women to realise their dream of playing for their state on the biggest stage,” continued Ms Fribence.
NSW Rugby League CEO David Trodden thanked Westpac for their ongoing support. “Women’s Rugby League has been one of the fastest-growth areas of our sport for several seasons and this commitment from Westpac will allow that to flourish even further. The investment will benefit both our pathways and elite female players and I am confident it will set the women’s game up for more success for generations to come,” he said.
NSWRL Female Pathways Manager and Sky Blues Coach Kylie Hilder said the investment from Westpac would have a positive impact. “I can see the improvement in our female players every season and this partnership will enable that process to start even sooner from when they enter our pathways programs,” she said. “I’m excited by the possibilities this will provide, and it will lead to even more female Rugby League players in our game.”
Westpac has a long and proud history of supporting participation, inclusion and diversity in sport. Westpac is the official bank of the NRL, including the NRLW competition. Westpac also sponsors the Queensland Rugby League, and the Brisbane Hustlers LGBT+ Rugby Union Team. Through St.George, the Group supported the St.George Illawarra Dragons to establish their NRLW squad, continues to support the Sydney Convicts LGBT+ Rugby Union Team, and is a proud sponsor of Gingercloud’s Modified Rugby Program.
Rugby League in NSW
- NSW Rugby League has more than 100,000 registered players across NSW from almost 700 clubs.
- Just over 26,000 of these participants are female, and this number grows substantially every year (+14% YoY).
- 43,000 participants are based in regional NSW.
15,000 participants are from the Penrith and Parramatta regions alone.
