Wednesday, 15 June 2005

National Australia Bank today joined with the Australian Football League (AFL) to announce an historic partnership that will see three of the AFL’s key sponsorship properties united in the one deal.

From 2006, National Australia Bank will be the naming rights sponsor of AFL Auskick, the AFL Rising Stars Program and the Pre-Season Competition.  The Pre-Season Competition will be known as the NAB Cup.

This will result in a clearly identifiable path for the development of future AFL champions from junior participation, youth development, the draft system, their debut with an AFL Club and early achievements in the game.

Ahmed Fahour, Executive Director and CEO Australia, National Australia Bank, said that the extension of the National Australia Bank’s sponsorship to cover the three properties was a natural fit.

“We have sponsored the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program since 2002 and we see this as an opportunity to build on the already strong foundation.  This will heighten our brand visibility, strengthen our reach into communities and open options for us to develop product initiatives linked to football that will meet the needs of the AFL’s passionate supporters,” Fahour said.

“By partnering with the AFL we will encourage young Australians to engage in a healthy and active lifestyle while building self-esteem and the principles of teamwork and the realisation of their sporting dreams.

“National Australia Bank has been the sponsor of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program for a number of years and through this program we have not only secured the AFL’s critical talent identification program during this period but we have also contributed over half a million dollars directly to grass roots football clubs across Australia – both metro and regional – through a range of community support programs, including the NAB Club Recognition Award,” he said.

“This partnership is critical in terms of providing increased accessibility to the game. From Joondalup to Cairns and Alice Springs to Hobart, these programs take footy to all Australians.”

Andrew Demetriou, CEO of the Australian Football League, said that the National Australia Bank has been an outstanding supporter of footy from grass roots to the elite level for a number of years and the extension of its partnership with the AFL will complement the significant investment that it has already made in the important area of game development.

“Today’s announcement will see the National Australia Bank partner the AFL in three of our most strategically important programs through to the end of Season 2010.  National Australia Bank has played an important role in football since 2002 and we are delighted that they have extended their partnership to include AFL Auskick and the Pre-Season Competition,” Demetriou said.

“The partnership with the National Australia Bank is an important foundation for growing the game, driving high levels of participation, connecting with fans and community, and achieving financial growth and stability,” he said.

NAB AFL Program Ambassador, Garry Lyon, said that today’s announcement was good news for football.

“I have worked with the National Australia Bank for a number of years to help raise awareness of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program and I have seen firsthand the impact that its contribution has had.  The National Australia Bank should be congratulated for its commitment to footy, communities and the youth of the game,” Lyon said.

AFL Auskick is the Australian Football League’s key introductory program for primary school-aged children and their families.  The AFL Auskick program provides boys and girls with a fun and safe Australian Football experience that serves as an introduction to a lifetime of involvement in the game.  In 2005 at 2300 local centers, over 130,000 kids participated in AFL Auskick around Australia.

The NAB AFL Rising Stars Program is a talent identification and development program from grass roots through to the elite level that comprises the following elements:

• NAB AFL Rising Star Medal
• NAB AFL Draft
• NAB AFL Draft Camp
• NAB AFL Under 18 Championships
• AIS-AFL Academy
• NAB AFL Under 16 Championships

The AFL Pre-Season Competition is a truly national competition that is held in every state and territory across Australia, including regional locations that otherwise do not have the opportunity to attend elite sport.  It has always been the showcase to see vibrant, talented new players on show for the first time – players who have progressed through the ranks of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program.  The football public has embraced the knock out format and trial rules and in 2005, attendance records were broken with over 420,000 people attending.

Please note, the naming rights that incorporate the word NAB should be pronounced ‘nab’ (rhymes with ‘cab’).

Contact:

 

Geoff Lynch Head of Media Relations, Australia National Australia Bank Tel: (03) 8634 1564 Mobile: 0405 319 819

Patrick Keane Australian Football League AFL Media Manager Tel: (03) 9643 1925 Mobile: 0417 033 215

* The information contained in this media release is for media advice purposes only. The contents are true and correct at time of publishing/issuing, however may change over time. For further information about NAB products or rates, please go to Interest Rates, Fees & Charges