Nike has extended its partnership with Football Australia for a further ten years, pushing the collaboration into its third consecutive decade.
The renewed deal serves as evidence of Nike’s commitment to supporting Australian football, which spans across both the men’s and women’s teams at all levels of the game.
This support also spills over to the grassroots scene, including Australia’s Legacy ‘23 initiative that has turned football for women into the country’s first community sport to reach gender parity in participation.
James Johnson, CEO of Football Australia, commented: “This is a pivotal moment for Australian football. This extended partnership with Nike not only solidifies their commitment to our national teams, but it also provides significant resources for the growth of grassroots football, our ambitious Legacy ’23 plan and the strategic building of our national iconic brands.
“Our partnership with Nike has been transformative, and this extension represents a strong endorsement for Football Australia and the growth of football at all levels across the nation.
“We are proud to be part of Nike’s Global Football strategy, and this partnership extension signifies the strength and continued elevation of Australian football on the international stage.”
As part of the renewed partnership, Nike will continue to be the official apparel partner for all Australian national teams, including the Subway Socceroos, CommBank Matildas, Junior, and Youth men’s and women’s squads, as well as the CommBank Pararoos, and CommBank ParaMatildas.
Steph Catley, Nike athlete and vice-captain of the CommBank Matildas, added: “Not only does Nike’s innovative high-performance gear allow us to perform our best on the field, but their unwavering commitment to build the game, invest in us as athletes and broaden access for the next generation of players and fans plays a pivotal role in driving the sport forward. We are thrilled to continue working with them and look forward to the exciting journey ahead.”
Ashley Reade, Nike Pacific Vice President and General Manager, concluded: “In the past two decades we’ve seen football in Australia grow to incredible heights and this year achieve sold-out stadiums and record-breaking jersey sales. Nike is incredibly proud of the partnership with Football Australia to drive these outcomes.
“This year’s major tournament was a generational tipping point and, on every level, Nike continues to find ways to innovate, inspire and enable the future of athletes through football.
“This announcement represents our local commitment to the world game, to foster even stronger opportunities for gender equity from grassroots to the elite game. We believe in the vision of Football Australia and look forward to playing our part in the sport’s continued growth.”