AFLW secures extended sponsorship from resources giant BHP

The AFL and BHP have announced an extension of the resources giant’s partnership with the AFLW competition until the end of 2025.

First agreed in January 2020, the partnership extension will BHP continue as a Women's Coaching Partner and Inclusive Community Club Partner for the game with the aim of driving higher female participation in sport, community administration positions and business.

The sponsorship will see BHP given naming rights and presenting partner status of key coaching programs including:

• The BHP AFL Women's Coaching Academy

• BHP Community Coach of the Year Award

• AFLW Player to Coach Programs

• She Can Coach National Program, presented by BHP

• Women's Coaching Month, presented by BHP

BHP will also become an Inclusive Community Club Partner which supports the uptake and adoption of inclusion and diversity policies and practices across grassroots Australian football clubs and leagues.

BHP's support extends to personal and professional development of elite female players, with ongoing funding of AFLW Player Development Managers across all 18 clubs to assist players to develop skills away from their playing careers while maintaining a focus on mental health and wellbeing.

In addition, the annual BHP x AFLW Think Big Leadership Forum broadcast live from AFL Studios to all 18 clubs, aims to present leading practice and inspiring content for AFLW players and staff to support sustainable growth, ambition and ongoing development of the game and women in sport.

Following the success of the league's annual Women's Coaching Month celebrations in July, AFL Executive General Manager Customer and Commercial, Kylie Rogers said the partnership extension reaffirmed the AFL and BHP's ambition to change the game, commenting “the AFL is proud to renew our partnership with BHP as we continue to work together to develop opportunities for women and girls across the country to be their best both on and off the field.

"We've achieved some incredible results for AFLW so far, but there is still work that needs to be done which can only be achieved with the support of committed partners like BHP.

"This partnership represents our shared advocacy and journey to creating an inclusive space for the next generation of women and girls across business and sport in Australia, and I can't wait to see what we can achieve together in the next three years."

Advising that the partnership is one example of BHP's commitment to embracing diversity,

BHP Australia President, Geraldine Slattery stated "BHP is excited to extend our partnership with the AFLW. Like us, the AFL has a true and genuine desire to achieve gender balance and build the appropriate structures to create inclusive environments where everyone thrives

BHP renewed its partnership with the West Coast Eagles to support regional youth in Western Australia in June while this week has also seen La Trobe Financial extend its two decade partnership with Collingwood FC, signing up for another four years as a backer of the club.

Images: (top, from left): AFLW player Monique Conti, BHP Australia President Geraldine Slattery, AFL Executive General Manager Customer and Commercial Kylie Rogers and AFLW player Ellie Blackburn. Lower image shows BHP Australia's Geraldine Slattery and the AFL's Kylie Rogers. Credit: AFL Photos/Daniel Pockett.