Toyota extends partnership with AFL to become Official Disability Inclusion Partner

Automotive manufacturer, Toyota Australia has expanded its partnership with Australian Rules Football in Victoria by coming on board to support disability and inclusion football in the state.

The extension of Toyota’s support for Australian Rules Football at all levels sees AFL Victoria welcome Toyota as Official Disability Inclusion Partner, which includes backing two of the state’s biggest inclusion football competitions – the Victorian Wheelchair Football League (VWFL) and Victorian Blind Football League (VBFL).

The partnership announcement between AFL Victoria and Toyota comes ahead of one of the pinnacle events on the Victorian community football calendar, the VWFL Grand Final, to be played this Sunday, 4th August between Richmond and Collingwood at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre at 1:30pm.

Toyota have been the Naming Rights Partner for both the Toyota Wheelchair AFL National Championships and the Toyota AFL National Inclusion Carnival for the past four years, and this year have combined with the AFL to lead the new national disability and inclusion event, AFL Open, where the nation’s best wheelchair and inclusion players will come together to represent their states and territories. The extension of Toyota's investment into the VWFL and VBFL stands as another important step to ensuring that footy is the most inclusive game for all, all year round.

Toyota’s support for the VWFL and VBFL comes as both competitions reach their crescendo for 2024, with the VBFL Grand Final played last weekend and won by the Hawks for a second-straight year, before the 2024 VWFL premier is crowned this Sunday following a thrilling finals series.

Toyota Australia, Chief Marketing Officer, Vin Naidoo, said Toyota is delighted to be supporting the Victorian Wheelchair Football League (VWFL) and Victorian Blind Football League (VBFL) competitions.

Naidoo shared “Toyota understands the transformative power of sports, and our aim is to create positive social impact by promoting inclusivity and making the game more accessible so that we break down barriers to participation and celebrate everyone who plays our great game.”

Head of AFL Victoria, Greg Madigan added “Toyota have been incredible supporters of footy around Australia for more than 20 years, and AFL Victoria are thrilled to be able to work alongside them to power the continued development of the VBFL and VWFL competitions and inclusion footy more broadly.

“Combined with the tremendous support that these competitions receive from Hawthorn, Essendon, Collingwood, St Kilda, Richmond and Port Melbourne football clubs participating in and promoting the leagues and formats, Toyota will help us deliver high quality and exciting VWFL and VBFL competitions.

“We have seen significant growth in our disability and inclusion footy formats in recent times, allowing more people to experience Australian Rules Football, and I thank Toyota for recognising the potential of inclusion footy and backing the game at all levels.”  

2024 VWFL Grand Final
Richmond v Collingwood
Sunday 4th August, 1:30pm
Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre

The 2024 Victorian Community Football League wheelchair competition Grand Final will be played prior at 12:15pm, also between Richmond and Collingwood.

2024 VBFL Grand Final
Congratulations to the Hawks who claimed the 2024 Victorian Blind Football League premiership with a thrilling win over Port Melbourne at Tullamarine last weekend.

Image top: Collingwood captain Ben Jankovsi will be hoping to lead the Magpies to the 2024 Victorian Wheelchair Football League premiership when his side takes on Richmond in the Grand Final this Sunday 4th August at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre. Credit: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos; Image above: Hawthorn celebrates after winning the 2024 Victorian Blind Football League premiership with an 11.21 (87) to 10.12 (72) victory over Port Melbourne in the Grand Final at Action Indoor Sports Centre, Tullamarine on Sunday 28th July, 2024