Hockey Australia mines Fortescue renewal

Iron ore producer Fortescue Metals Group has agreed a two-year extension to its sponsorship of Australia’s men’s hockey team through 2016.

Fortescue will continue as a major sponsor of the national side, with its logo featuring on the team’s match kit, media and travel wear, and the deal runs alongside its partnership with Hockey Australia on the National Indigenous Program.

Under the agreement, Australia hockey players and coaching staff will work with Fortescue on its leadership, mentoring and personal development programmes, along with a series of hockey clinics for children of the company’s employees.

Hockey Australia chief executive Cam Vale said: “The continuation of what has been an excellent relationship with Fortescue is a real boost to the team and to Australian hockey as a whole. For the Kookaburras, it means continued support in the build-up to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. In a challenging commercial environment it is hugely significant that a major Australian company continues to throw its support behind hockey.”

Fortescue became the Australian hockey team’s first ever corporate sponsor in May 2012. The financial terms of its latest deal with Hockey Australia were not disclosed.