Westpac new naming rights partner for Women's Origin team
The NSWRL is pleased to announce an expansion of its partnership with Westpac in 2024 which includes the naming rights for the Westpac NSW Sky Blues and a further investment in women’s Rugby League from pathways through to elite competitions.
The announcement was made today at the Westpac Open Air Cinema at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the Royal Botanic Gardens by NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden and Westpac Head of Sponsorship and Events Patrick Cunningham.
Westpac NSW Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder and representatives Kezie Apps and Millie Elliott, and NSWRL Chairman Paul Conlon, were also in attendance with the new playing strip unveiled for the three-game women’s State of Origin series which starts in May.
Trodden thanked Westpac for their ongoing support of Rugby League in NSW.
“Women’s Rugby League has been one of the fastest-growth areas of our sport for several seasons and this commitment from Westpac will allow that to flourish even further,” he said.
“The investment will benefit both our pathways and elite female players and I am confident it will set the women’s game up for more success for generations to come.”
Westpac Chief Brand and Marketing Officer Annabel Fribence said the partnership was another demonstration of Westpac’s commitment to developing women’s sport in Australia.
“Through this partnership, we know we can play such an important role in shaping how the game will look for women now, and in the years to come," she said.
“Of course, being on the front of the Origin jersey is exciting, but I’m equally as excited that we’ll be out in communities in regional NSW and providing a tangible pathway to allow young women to realise their dream of playing for their state on the biggest stage.”
The NSWRL’s association with Westpac started in 2023 when Australia’s oldest financial institution assumed the naming rights for the Westpac NSW Blues.
The expanded partnership will see:
• Westpac assume front of jersey sponsor of the NSW Sky Blues for the 2024 State of Origin series which kicks off in Brisbane on 16 May and features a three-game series for the first time;
• Westpac support Metropolitan and Regional competitions for young female athletes, including the annual Country v City representative fixture;
• Westpac to assume naming rights for the Tarsha Gale Cup (Under 19s); and the Lisa Fiaola Cup (Under 17s), which will run competitions in both Sydney and regional NSW;
• Westpac continue to invest in the NSW Emerging Sky Blues program, a talent identification pathway to identify and develop the Origin stars of tomorrow in cities and regional communities across the state.
Hilder, who is also the NSWRL Female Pathways Manager, said the investment from Westpac would have a positive impact.
“I can see the improvement in our female players every season and this partnership will enable that process to start even sooner from when they enter our pathways programs,” she said.
“I am excited by the possibilities this will provide, and it will lead to even more female Rugby League players in our game.”
The Sky Blues drew last year’s series 1-all against Queensland but surrendered the Shield after it was presented to the state with the better aggregate. Since the women’s Origin concept was rebranded in 2018, the NSW Sky Blues have won on three occasions (2018-19, 2022).
This year’s Origin series will involve three games with the first in Brisbane (16 May), followed by Newcastle (6 June) and Townsville (27 June).
The NSWRL announced in December that the Westpac Lisa Fiaola Cup would be promoted to major competition status for the first time, with competitions to be played in both regional NSW and metropolitan Sydney.
The Westpac Tarsha Gale Cup provides a pathway for players looking to compete at the elite level and will enter its eighth season in 2024.
