Richmond has extended its partnership with joint-major partner nib Group (nib) for the 2022 and 2023 AFLW seasons.
nib were an inaugural partner in the establishment of Richmond’s first AFLW season in 2020 and have been committed in their determination and support to grow women’s football from grassroots through to the elite level.
Commencing from season 2022, nib’s logo will feature on the front of jumper position for Richmond’s AFLW team and the AFL men’s program.
The new partnership will also see nib invest additional support and capability behind the Club’s Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI). The Richmond Football Club established KGI in 2011 to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth leadership development.
nib’s additional support will help the KGI to hire a dedicated Indigenous psychologist for their REAL Healthy Program and create collaboration opportunities between both organisations.
REAL Healthy provides Indigenous youth around the state with access to a range of health and wellbeing initiatives, including gym passes, personalised fitness plans and expert advice from psychologists and nutritionists.
KGI developed the program from an understanding that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth needed to connect with their body, mind and culture to thrive.
“This expanded partnership across the AFLW & AFL programs and Korin Gamadji Institute continues to demonstrate the depth of the relationship we have formed with nib across the Club. This builds upon our partnership first formed in AFL in 2018 but shows a significant commitment to building a more equitable community using the reach and power of sport,” Richmond CEO Brendon Gale said.
“Across our AFLW, AFL and Korin Gamadji Institute, we are on a journey together with nib, and this expanded partnership will see both of us continuing to support each other but importantly help contribute to the communities which we are a part of,” he added.
nib Chief Executive Australian Residents Health Insurance, Ed Close, said the extension of nib’s partnership with the AFLW team, including the new commitment to KGI, demonstrates nib’s commitment to diversifying its brand partnerships in line with its purpose.
“Our partnership with the Tigers is about more than simply brand awareness, we’re committed to partnering with organisations that will help us to continue to support the better health of our community.
“Through the support of the women’s team, we hope to not only promote health and active lifestyles for our members but help pave the way for greater representation of women and diversity in sport, from your local junior club to elite level,” Mr Close said.
“The partnership with the Korin Gamadji Institute is also an important step for nib as we continue to develop meaningful relationships to help improve the quality of life and health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, a key commitment within our Reconciliation Action Plan," he added.
KGI’s Head of Programs, Angela Burt, will also join nib’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Advisory Committee. As an experienced Indigenous Manager with expertise in Indigenous education and leadership, Ms. Burt will provide valuable support to nib, helping the company deliver its RAP commitments.
“Angela will be an asset to nib’s RAP Advisory Committee and our employees look forward to sharing learnings and ideas with her to ensure we are delivering our RAP commitments in a meaningful and culturally safe manner, with all areas of the business and community taken into consideration,” Mr Close said.
Angela said she is proud to be working alongside nib and to represent the KGI at their RAP Advisory Committee.
“KGI is very grateful for the support of nib and its profound impact will be felt right across all of the communities that we work in,” Ms Burt said.
“nib has already taken some powerful steps in their journey towards reconciliation and I am excited by the opportunity to draw off my own experiences and knowledge to support them further.
As a football club and KGI, we are fortunate to have organisations like nib support us, and it is fantastic that we can step forward together as partners,” she added.
