The Geelong Cats are proud to announce Deakin University and Market Square Shopping Centre as co-major partners of the club’s inaugural VFL Women’s team for 2017.
Deakin University is committed to promoting and highlighting the benefits of women’s sport in the community.
“We are committed to supporting women to achieve their goals and that’s why we support the Cats VFL Women’s team, because it strongly aligns with our passion for inspiring women in whatever they choose to do,” Deakin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander AO said.
“We know from research – including research that Deakin has done – that girls continue to drop out of sport before boys, and until just recently women were not even able to play VFL or AFL.
“We also know that not only does sport offer benefits to health and fitness, but that it improves emotional well-being and socialisation.
“On top of that, watching women’s sport makes for excellent entertainment – so the flow on benefits to the community are important and we are delighted to support this new team to reach its goals.”
Deakin University will appear on the front of the playing guernsey, playing shorts and match ball.
Two games are fixtured to be played on Deakin’s Elite Sports Precinct at Waurn Ponds throughout the season, the VFLW squad will also utilise the facility for training throughout the year.
Market Square Shopping Centre has been Geelong’s own for over thirty years, and is passionate about supporting the regions first women’s elite football team.
“We are delighted to co-major sponsor the new Cats VFLW team in 2017. We have been a supporter of the Geelong Cats for many years and our core values align with those of the new women’s team,” Market Square’s Centre Manager Sandy Kelly-Burton.
“Market Square Shopping Centre has a strong commitment to supporting the Geelong Community and this new partnership provides the opportunity to assist in the development of these talented young women.
“For us it's about demonstrating our desire to support the female athletes with resources to help deliver a high quality program.
“It also enables us to share this amazing journey with our customers as we support women’s sport in regional Victoria and the greater Geelong region.
“The new team provides Geelong youth with strong female role models and the opportunity to realise their dream of one day playing for the Geelong Cats.
“Market Square is proud to be partnering with the Cats’ VFLW team and looks forward to strengthening that partnership in the next few years as well as showing the country just how amazing our women athletes are.”
Market Square Shopping Centre will appear on the back of the VFLW guernsey.
Lake Imaging has also thrown their support behind the Cats’ VFLW team for season 2017.
