In summary

  • Swinburne University of Technology is extending its partnership with Richmond’s AFLW program until 2024
  • Richmond and Swinburne have been partners since 2017, with the university supporting the AFLW program since its inaugural year in 2020
  • The partnership includes Swinburne support for elite sporting pathways for women, including student placements and internships, as well as financial support

Swinburne University of Technology is proud to announce an extension of its partnership with Richmond’s AFLW program until 2024, ahead of the first home game at the Swinburne Centre this Friday.

Richmond and Swinburne have been partners since 2017, with the university supporting the AFLW program since its inaugural year in 2020. The partnership includes Swinburne support for elite sporting pathways for women, including student placements and internships, as well as financial support.

Two of Richmond’s AFLW players are both currently studying at Swinburne - Richmond’s reigning AFLW Best and Fairest winner Monique Conti and last year’s No. 1 draft pick Ellie McKenzie.

Swinburne extends AFLW partnership with Richmond FC to 2024

Conti is in her first year of a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences and McKenzie is in her first year of a Bachelor of Business. Speaking ahead of the first home game of 2022, Conti has expressed her appreciation of the flexibility afforded to all students and their studies.

“The partnership extension with Swinburne is really exciting, they’re a great sponsor and they support our athletes really well. With games and training, Swinburne are willing to consider extensions to help us finish an assignment or an exam, so they’re really accommodating with that,” she said.

Building strong partnerships

Swinburne’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Pascale Quester said the strengthened relationship between Richmond and Swinburne deserved to be celebrated.

“Swinburne is proud to renew our partnership with Richmond and their AFLW program, and we are eager to remain a strong part of the club’s rich and evolving history, particularly in a period of significant growth and innovation within women’s football,” she said.

“It has been a privilege to support Monique Conti and Ellie McKenzie in their studies. Swinburne is committed to guiding them, and future players, to successful careers beyond football with the same passion as Richmond’s supporters.”

Richmond CEO Brendon Gale said that Swinburne continued to be a valued partner of the club, adding that the university’s support of the women’s program had been tremendous.

“Swinburne has backed our AFLW team since the beginning. It is fantastic to see that Swinburne is entrenched within our program and is helping our players to succeed both on and off the field,” he said.

“Already, we have some significant initiatives in place with Swinburne through the partnership that are mutually beneficial for what we want to achieve as businesses with shared values.

“Our AFLW Tigers will play five games at the Swinburne Centre in 2022, one up from last year and inclusive of our marquee Pride and Indigenous Round matches which the whole Club is very excited to be hosting.”

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