Deakin University and Geelong Cats announce extended partnership

The Geelong Football Club has announced a three-year partnership extension with Deakin University, carrying the longstanding relationship between the two organisations through to the end of 2026.

Continuing as an Elite partner of the Cats, Deakin will also remain a Co-Major partner of Geelong’s AFLW team and the naming rights partner of the Deakin Cats Community Centre - the community centre at GMHBA Stadium offered free-of-charge to community groups in the region with a health focus.

As a Co-Major partner of the Cats AFLW program, Deakin University and the Cats will collaborate across Deakin’s School of Exercise and Nutrition Science and Geelong’s High-Performance teams, by sharing training facilities, access to the GMHBA Stadium, and enhancing student engagement opportunities.

The mutually beneficial partnership will continue to see Deakin University students complete their placements at the Club across the areas of strength and conditioning, nutrition, and performance technology.

Pleased to see the long-serving partnership extend to 20 years, Geelong Football Club Chief Operating Officer, Simon Kelleher stated “we’re thrilled to be able to extend our partnership with Deakin University as Co-Major partners of our AFLW program, and as the official University and Education Partner of the Geelong Cats.

“As two organisations with strong roots in the broader Geelong community, we have been able to forge and significantly develop a mutually beneficial partnership over the past two decades, particularly in high performance, athlete development and community connection.”

Deakin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Iain Martin said the University looked forward to another three years backing the Cats both on and off the field, adding “Geelong players will continue to benefit from the latest discoveries in sport science developed by our expert team within the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, the world’s number one sport science school.

“Our students will also enjoy exciting industry placement opportunities working alongside players at the top of their game and the professional teams who support them to achieve their all.”

Image: The Deakin Cats Community Centre.