Hockey Australia scores Fortescue support

Iron ore giant Fortescue Metals Group has renewed its sponsorship of the Australian national men’s and women’s teams and will fund the expansion of a community hockey program in the Pilbara, after it extended its partnership with Hockey Australia. 

Fortescue will continue as a major partner of the Kookaburras and supporting partner of the Hockeyroos until 2023.

Over the next two years, ten Pilbara community hockey clinics will be established to encourage students to engage with the sport while encouraging increased school participation.

Fortescue chief executive Elizabeth Gaines said the hockey program improved social and education outcomes in the areas in which the company operated.

“Not only is hockey one of Australia’s most successful sports, it is also one of the most gender equal sports globally,” Ms Gaines said.

“In line with our commitment to diversity, Fortescue is proud that our sponsorship continues to contribute to pay parity for male and female athletes in Australia’s national teams.”

Hockey Australia chief executive David Pryles said Fortescue had supported Australia’s national hockey teams for the past decade, helping them to feature among the best teams in the world.

“Commencing as part of a common goal to generate tangible benefits for Australian communities, our partnership has also enabled us to grow the Pilbara Community Hockey Program from one primary school in Roebourne to ten across the entire region,” Mr Pryles said.

Fortescue’s relationship with hockey began in June 2011 when the company partnered with Hockey Australia for the National Indigenous Program.

In May 2012, the company became the Kookaburras’ first corporate sponsor with the initial sponsorship agreement extended in October 2014.