The Commonwealth Bank (CBA) will become the official naming rights partner and bank of the national women’s soccer team, the Matildas, Junior Matildas and Young Matildas from August this year.
The initial four-year partnership will inject millions of dollars into elite women’s football and grassroots initiatives around the country.
CBA, with the new Football Australia partnership, believes it will be the largest supporter of women’s sport in the country, alongside its longstanding partnership and support for women’s cricket spanning more than 20 years.
CBA’s commitment to women’s football supports Football Australia’s Legacy ‘23 plan which was announced at Parliament House in Canberra in February this year.
Legacy ’23 is a plan to deliver immediate and long-term community benefits and economic impact from Australia hosting the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
“Women’s football and women’s cricket are showing young Australian women they can achieve great things on the world stage," Commonwealth Bank CEO Matt Comyn says.
"We look forward to working with Football Australia to ensure every girl and boy playing in a community club with a goal to play at an elite level has the same access and support to achieve their dream.
“The Matildas have been one of the great success stories of Australian sport in recent years as the women’s game has grown in stature and importance at home and around the globe.
"Many players are now in some of the best leagues in the world which has helped put Australian football on the map. We are delighted to partner with Football Australia in not only supporting the Matildas in their quest for World Cup glory, but equally as important, supporting the future growth and development of the game across all levels.”
CBA group executive, marketing and corporate affairs Priscilla Brown says the bank is looking to continue its support of creating equal opportunities through sport.
“Through our support for women’s cricket, we have greatly appreciated and understood the significance of creating equal access and opportunity for all through sport," Brown says.
"In taking our investment in Australian women’s sport to the next level, CBA and Football Australia have committed to helping players of all ages, genders and abilities to participate in one of the country’s favourite sports, football.
“Women’s football has become one of the fastest growing participatory sports across the country and I’m proud that our investment will be able to support even more opportunities for women and girls to play a game they are passionate about at the highest levels.
"We believe the Football Australia partnership, alongside our existing support of women’s cricket, will make CBA the largest supporter of women’s sport in the country and we are excited about the ways we can work together to expand football from grassroots to elite levels.”
Football Australia CEO James Johnson says the organisation is delighted to bring together two of Australia's "great" contemporary brands.
“We believe firmly in anchoring the growth of our sport in women’s football, the strength of our diverse community, promoting inclusivity in Australian football and enhancing the reputation of our national teams, both the Matildas and Socceroos as we embark on an incredibly busy international schedule over the next four years," Johnson says.
"We are thrilled that these core themes of our new 15-year vision and strategic agenda, which are so deeply embedded within our XI Principles for the future of Australian football, are also extremely important to Commonwealth Bank.
“This partnership is a wonderful representation of our bold new vision for the sport coming to life and the new trajectory of Australian football. We are proud to welcome Commonwealth Bank, one of Australia’s most iconic companies, to the football family as we embark, together, on this exciting journey of transformation towards becoming the centre of women’s football in the Asia-Pacific."
Johnson also thanked Westfield for its support of the Matildas over the last 13 years.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the enormous support that Westfield has and continues to provide to women’s football in Australia," he says.
"Westfield’s commitment, leadership and significant investment in the game over 13 years has helped to create the current generation of champions and for that we will always be grateful."
The partnership between CBA and Football Australia will include Official Naming Rights Partner of the Matildas, Junior Matildas and Young Matildas; Official Bank of the Matildas, Junior Matildas and Young Matildas; Official Partner the Female Football Awards; Official Naming Rights Partner of Matildas Fan Days; Official Partner and Bank of the Socceroos; and Official Partner of the MiniRoos.
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