Finance, insurance and banking corporation Suncorp has been named as the new principal partner of the Netball Australia governing body.
The five-year deal, which will provide backing for all levels of the sport in the country, runs until 2021.
Under the agreement, Suncorp will take on naming rights to the newly-formed National Netball League club competition. It will also serve as a major partner of Australia’s national team, and support Netball Australia’s introductory programme, which will be known as Suncorp NetSetGo.
“Together with Suncorp we are committed to empowering women and girls to create a better today and future,” Netball Australia chief executive Kate Palmer said. “As the most popular and biggest women’s participation sport we are in the box seat to deliver this.”
The news comes following recent confirmation from Netball Australia that the 80 players contracted to next year’s National Netball League will share in a total payment pool of A$5.4m (€3.8m/$4.1m). The commitment makes elite netballers the highest paid female athletes of any code in Australia.
The 2017 campaign will mark the inaugural season of the National Netball League, which has been formed following the disbandment of the ANZ Championship.
The ANZ Championship featured teams from New Zealand and Australia, whereas the new competition will be made up of eight sides from the latter country.