Woodside extends Fremantle sponsorship

Woodside Energy’s partnership with the Fremantle Dockers will extend into a 15^th year, with the pair agreeing to extend their sponsorship arrangement for a further two seasons.

The Dockers had been pressured by climate activists to end its association with the oil and gas giant, which has featured a logo on the men’s playing guernsey since 2010 as a major sponsor.

Woodside was also an inaugural sponsor of the club’s AFLW team on inception in 2017.

Today’s deal means the alignment between the parties will continue through to 2025, with Fremantle releasing a statement saying the deal reflected Woodside’s commitment to a positive impact on the club and in the community.

That includes supporting an expansion of the club’s Indigenous program partnership, which encompasses the development and implementation of a new stretch Reconciliation Action Plan, and support for Fremantle’s presence in regional north west WA.

Outgoing Fremantle president Dale Alcock said the partnership would help the club maintain a position of strength on and off the field.

“Woodside are a significant co-major partner and have provided us great strength and stability for more than decade,” he said.

“A clear example of this is the support Woodside provided through the pandemic, when we faced great uncertainty. They were there when we needed them most.”

Mr Alcock said the club and Woodside had addressed climate concerns in discussing the sponsorship extension.

“Effective and appropriate climate action is critical for all, and Woodside has made significant commitments to the energy transition, while maintaining secure and reliable energy supplies for Western Australian households and businesses,” he said.

Woodside chief executive Meg O'Neill said the company was excited to extend its association with the local club.

“As we move forward in the energy transition, partnerships with organisations such as the Dockers who prioritise sustainable outcomes will be critical,” she said.

“We are proud to work with the Dockers as we all focus on a lower carbon, equitable and sustainable energy future.”

In August, Fremantle said the club’s board had a duty to listen to its stakeholders, give due consideration and maintain balance in deciding on next moves around the Woodside sponsorship.

The statement followed the presentation of an 8,000-signature petition against Woodside’s sponsorship to the club in July.

In October last year, a motion was passed by the City of Fremantle council asking the chief executive to explore controlling and restricting fossil fuel advertising within its city borders – a move which would have implications for the club’s AFLW team which plays home games at Fremantle Oval. No recent update has been provided in relation to a ban. 

Today's move was criticised by the Australian Conservation Foundation, with campaigns director Paul Sinclair labelling the club's decision "irresponsible". 

“By taking Woodside’s money Fremantle Football Club is ignoring the pleas of its many supporters who want it to make a break from one of Australia’s biggest climate polluters," he said. 

“Fossil fuel polluters like Woodside want their logos on sporting uniforms to clean up their brand by associating with teams people feel intense loyalty towards."

The new agreement between Fremantle and Woodside will run until the end of 2025.