THE Gippsland League has welcomed the addition of telecommunications company Optus as its new major sponsor and naming rights partner for 2023.
Gippsland League Board vice chair, Andrew Livingstone, and Optus head of regional Australia, Marcus Grimes, spoke to the Gippsland Times on their new partnership.
“Obviously it’s a fantastic announcement for the league that we got such a massive brand in Optus coming on board as one of our major partners in 2023,” Livingstone announced.
“We’re really looking forward to that association, in particular our Gippsland League TV.”
The Gippsland League is looking forward to expanding their streaming platform – Gippsland League TV, with hopes to livestream more football and netball games.
“We pretty much did every football game [last season] …we’ll be looking to elaborate on that and expand that as well into netball,” Livingstone said.
“Optus will be the naming partner on that particular platform.”
“It gives us an opportunity to support local grassroots football in this area … as they branch out into netball, it gives us a voice into the community,” Grimes added.
“There’s a real tie-in with the new TV platform, which we’re really proud of and thrilled to be naming rights sponsors of, because it ties in beautifully with Optus’ technology platform.”
The partnership between Optus and the Gippsland League dives further than just a sponsorship.
Grimes believes that the sponsorship is much more than supporting the league.
“Optus are all about supporting local communities and engaging with really professional organisations like the Gippsland League,” Grimes stated.
The wider community is only still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Livingstone elaborated on how the sponsorship would help the Gippsland League – which was affected by COVID-19.
“Post-COVID I think everyone has been doing it tough, so we’re really appreciative of such a fantastic company in Optus,” Livingstone said.
“It certainly helps financially.
“It not only helps the league, but it also helps support the clubs across the whole region.”
Both organisations are committed to supporting the regional community, as well as its locals.
During the 2023 season, the Gippsland League will play two dedicated rounds committed to a certain cause.
Two awareness rounds will be played, one for Mental Health and the other for Domestic Violence against Women.
Livingstone believes these topics are very important issues in our society.
“Something that we’re looking forward to, working with Optus to make sure that we get that awareness out there,” Livingstone said.
Optus is passionate about these topics too, hence its support.
“We certainly applaud the league for bringing those two special rounds to the calendar,” Grimes said.
The announcement was made on Thursday, November 24 at TRFM, Traralgon, where Livingstone also announced a new grant system for the Gippsland League.
“Clubs can apply for grants through the league to run their own programs,” Livingstone said.
These programs will have to be motivated by spreading awareness of Mental Health or Domestic Violence.
Both parties are looking forward to the 2023 season, and Livingstone expects a tighter competition.
“Seeing some of the recruits that are coming in, we’ve got a lot of ex-AFL talent,” he said.
Grimes told the Times that he used to holiday on the Nicholson River – about half an hour out of Bairnsdale, hence the link to his interest in regional Australia.
He hints that he might tee up another visit to watch a Red Legs game in 2023.
Bairnsdale has secured the services of ex-Sydney Swan Xavier Richards for next season.
