Statewide Super gives NT cricket and Aussie rules a healthy cash injection

TERRITORY cricket and Aussie rules have been given a healthy boost after new sponsorship announcements from industry super fund, Statewide Super.

The combined sponsorship package is worth $225,000 over three years.

Under the agreement with Statewide Super, AFLNT will get $45,000 a year for three years and NT Cricket $30,000 a year over the same period.

Statewide Super’s chief executive Richard Nunn said the sponsorships would help create pathways through both sports for both men and women, from grassroots to the elite levels, with opportunities for indigenous players.

“Cricket and AFL are the lifeblood of the Northern Territory. It’s really important that we invest in these sports which drive diversity and inclusion in the communities in both metropolitan and areas,” Nunn said.

“Statewide Super will help foster and grow local talent as well as helping communities to have better access to, and participate in, the sports they love.

“Sports act as a microcosm of the local community. In addition to providing the obvious health and fitness opportunities, being involved in a sport or a club provides social interaction, personal and professional regional development opportunities and a sense of community and purpose.”

AFLNT chief executive Stuart Totham said he was delighted to have Statewide Super on board as a corporate partner for grassroots community footy, including naming rights for the NTFL Club of the Year award.

“Statewide Super has also joined with us as our naming rights partner for our newly- launched Leadership Series, which aims to bring the corporate and sporting communities together for mutual benefit,” Totham said.

NT Cricket chief executive Joel Morrison was equally ecstatic with the sponsorship.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Statewide Super, and thanks to their generous support NT Cricket will enter a Northern Territory team into Cricket Australia’s Under-18 Female National Championship for the first time in early 2019,” he said.

“As we strive to grow cricket in the north, our partnership with Statewide Super will help accelerate the development of players striving to follow in the footsteps of Territorians such as D’Arcy Short, Tabatha Saville, Kane Richardson and Jake Weatherald.

“This sponsorship is building on our existing support.”