Bankwest and the Fremantle Football Club have today announced a partnership that will have the iconic WA financial institution become co-major partner of Fremantle’s AFL and AFLW teams for the next four seasons.
Bankwest returns to the Freo Dockers’ AFL jumper, having previously partnered with the club in 2004 and 2005, and will adorn the AFLW jumper for the first time when Season 8 commences.
Bankwest will also underpin the Freo Footprints Program, which promotes children being active through fundamental movement skills, continuing more than 125 years of community support by the financial institution.
The announcement of the partnership was marked with the unveiling of a mural commissioned by Bankwest and Fremantle, adorning a sea container that will take pride of place in the Fremantle community at Bathers Beach.
The mural, created by local artist Jacob “Shakey” Butler, features Freo Dockers icons Matthew Pavlich and Peter Bell during Bankwest’s previous partnership, along with current midfielders Andy Brayshaw and Hayley Miller.
The commissioning of the mural continues Bankwest’s commitment to supporting WA artists, having recently engaged local band The Spunloves to record a bespoke track for the financial institution’s Born this WA campaign.
The partnership with the Fremantle Dockers enables Bankwest to tap into the national strength of the AFL and AFLW and build greater awareness of how it can meet the needs of current and aspiring homeowners across Australia.
Bankwest EGM Jason Chan said it was a great opportunity for the two organisations to come together.
“Bankwest has been part of the fabric of WA for more than 125 years, supporting the communities in which we live and work, and we’re proud to become part of the fabric of the Fremantle Football Club,” Mr Chan said.
“Our colleagues might not kick a footy for a living, but Bankwest and Fremantle share a common goal a lot of Western Australians can relate to: our teams are WA-based, with clear ambitions for national growth and success.
“We also share with Fremantle a commitment to support WA communities, such as taking a leadership role in the fight against domestic and financial abuse, and sport – particularly football – brings communities together.
“Bankwest already partners with Optus Stadium and RAC Arena, and our partnership with the Freo Dockers enables us to share our passion for WA with our customers, colleagues, and the community through various opportunities.
“Thank you Fremantle Football Club for having Bankwest on board and we’re thrilled to pull on the purple as the newest addition to the Dockers’ list, and we look forward to joining the quest for the Dockers’ first premiership.”
Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick welcomed Bankwest back to the Freo family.
“We are delighted to welcome the support of new co-major partner Bankwest, who we share strong values with, along with a commitment to positively impacting the community,” Mr Garlick said.
“We are excited to work with such an iconic WA brand and we can’t wait to create a really powerful partnership where the Freo community and our Club thrives.
“The support of a financial institution like Bankwest can help us continue to build a strong foundation to launch into what we are planning to be a period of sustained competitiveness and, ultimately, premiership success.”
