St Kilda’s march to the AFL Women’s competition in 2020 has received a major boost with leading Australian office paper brand Reflex committing to a landmark five-year sponsorship deal.

Reflex will be introduced as the major sponsor of St Kilda’s women’s teams at the club’s season launch at Frankston Park on Friday night, when the Southern Saints are presented to fans alongside the men’s team.

The agreement sees Reflex become the major sponsor of the Southern Saints (VFL Women’s) in 2018 and 2019, before continuing their support as major sponsor of St Kilda’s inaugural AFLW Team for at least three years.

St Kilda’s Chief Commercial Officer Christine Finnegan said the partnership would be a gamechanger for St Kilda.

“To have a leading Australian brand like Reflex supporting St Kilda’s path to AFLW is a great opportunity for the young women who will wear the red, white and black for the first time.”

“Their long term support will provide the foundation for St Kilda to build a strong women’s football program, and enable a new generation, and gender, of St Kilda heroes to emerge,” Finnegan said.

“All girls and boys can now dream of wearing a St Kilda jumper, and thanks to Reflex, the region’s best female footballers will now have access to the necessary resources and coaches to reach their full potential.

“To have Reflex on board as the major partner of the Southern Saints and committed to supporting our inaugural St Kilda AFLW team, speaks volumes for Australian Paper’s dedication to the community and women’s sport more broadly.

“With AFLW still in its infancy, the support of companies like Australian Paper is paramount to the competition’s long term sustainability.”

In addition to supporting St Kilda’s women’s teams, Reflex will also become a premier partner of the South Metro Junior Football League, one of the biggest community junior leagues in Australia.

The SMJFL has over 11,000 registered players set to take to the field in 2018, including 2,000 girls.

Australian Paper CEO Mr Kashima said the company was thrilled to be partnering with St Kilda for five years.

“We decided that if we were going to support women’s football, then it needed to be a genuine and a long term commitment.”

“Supporting the Southern Saints, and then St Kilda’s inaugural AFLW team, demonstrates this commitment.

“We look forward to watching St Kilda’s new stars take the field and continue to change the face of Australian football.”


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