SGS Sponsors U17 Women's AFL Team in Townsville

SGS shows continued commitment to reconciliation and community investment in Australia with grassroots sponsorship initiative.

Earlier this year SGS entered into agreement with the University Hawks AFC Townsville, Queensland to sponsor their under 17s women’s team.

The sponsorship includes funding for key activities such as:

1. Player registration
2. Transport to training and games
3. New jerseys for the team
4. Footballs, first aid kits etc

The team was formed last year after coach Emma Ferguson, who works for the Stars Foundation, identified that many of her mentees were interested in playing a team sport. 

The Stars Foundation is a not-for-profit that provides holistic mentoring support to one of the most at-risk groups in Australia – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women. Emma’s role as a Stars mentor concentrates on involving the girls in sport as part of the overall program’s aim to promote and support positive education, employment and life outcomes. 

With a new youth women’s AFL competition commencing in Townsville last year, the opportunity arose to establish a team, and so the University Hawks Youth Women’s Team was born.

The story so far

After a successful but challenging first season with difficulties in player registration, transport, and a lack of training due to logistical challenges. To alleviate some of the first season’s difficulties and guarantee the team a second season, they sought support from sponsors.

The SGS sponsorship enables individuals to experience the benefits of team sport by removing some of the major barriers to participation by reducing registration costs and contributing towards team transportation. A portion of the SGS sponsorship also went towards production of a new Indigenous jersey for the team to wear in 2024. Many of the players are also exceptional artists and were given the opportunity to work on the design. The new jersey will now incorporate aspects of local land and water features that are important to the local Wulgurukaba and Bindal people. 

Committed to investing in our local communities 

This initiative closely aligns with our overarching objective to add value to society under the community empowerment pillar and furthers our commitment to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities as part of our Reconciliation Action Plan. 

SGS Managing Director Johan O'Connell, said: 

SGS’s reconciliation journey

Since 2018, our reconciliation journey has led to a profound growth in awareness and appreciation of First Nations people and culture. These learnings have been shared throughout our organisation as we build a deeper understanding of the pivotal role, we each play toward building an equitable, sustainable, and unified Australia. 
Strengthening existing relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and groups and building new ones is a foundational element in our journey. This sponsorship is an opportunity for us to stand by our commitment and invest in an initiative delivering positive change in the communities we operate in.  

Mark Crichton, SGS RAP Coordinator, said:

In addition to the progress we’re making to increase work with First Nations suppliers I’m really proud to see the same level of commitment echoed on the community side with this grassroots investment.

If you’re interested in learning more about our reconciliation journey, please read our Reconciliation Action Plan.