Sport is a beast that never sleeps, and this week, it’s wide awake and roaring. Between the BBL finals and the Australian Open sports fans are not short of entertainment.
And then there were three. The BBL season is well and truly in the pointy end of the season, with the reigning champs the Hobart Hurricanes booking a spot in the Challenger (semi-final).
Overnight, the Hurricanes narrowly defeated the Melbourne Stars by three runs. In a rain affected match, Hobart set a total of 114 off its 10 overs. The rain continued to come down forcing the umpires to change the Stars run chase to 84 off a shortened seven overs. Melbourne, who were chasing its maiden BBL title, gave it an almighty crack, falling agonisingly short. Meaning the team will have to wait another year to lift its first trophy.
As for the Hurricanes, it will be facing a hungry Sydney Sixers side fresh off defeat.
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Over on Rod Laver Arena and Australia’s best male chance, Alex de Minaur survived a bruising second-round clash with young Serbian Hamad Medjedovic to post a four set victory.
After dropping the first set “The Demon” quickly switched on and won the next three straight sets to lock in a third round clash.
Welcome back to B&T’s Spotlight on Sponsors series, where we break down all the major sponsorship news from inside the sporting world.
The bleachers have been just as exciting with Emirates granting 25 kids with the trip of a lifetime, CyberCX laces up once again as the official cyber security partner for the AO, Ringers Western has wrangled in the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs for a further two seasons, Revo Fitness has become Optus Stadium’s first official fitness partner and Gillette has joined the Audi Revolut F1 Team before its inaugural competition.
Australian Tennis Foundation x Emirates
Last week dreams came true for a special group of children and young people as the Force for Good program, a joint initiative with Emirates and the Australian Tennis Foundation (ATF), culminated its first year. Twenty-five participants, alongside their guardian or friends, were flown to Melbourne from across Australia for a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the heart of the Australian Open.
For many of these children, who might never have had the chance to pick up a racquet, the program has unlocked a new world of possibility. The day marked a significant milestone for the Emirates ‘Force for Good’ program, a $2.25 million, five-year commitment from Emirates designed to inspire brighter futures for disadvantaged children through tennis.
Throughout its 2025 pilot year, the initiative has made a remarkable impact nationally, unlocking new pathways for thousands of marginalised young people across five cities to thrive, connect, and grow through tennis. The program engaged 53 delivery partners to run 44 programs and events, introducing over 2,000 marginalised kids and young people to tennis and creating more than 10,500 hours of joy. Overall, it provided over 7,600 opportunities for these young people to play and connect through the sport.
In Adelaide alone, the program partnered with three organisations, offering 130 children the chance to get involved in the sport through 20 unique coaching sessions.
The 2025 program culminated today with these young participants experiencing the magic of the Australian Open, meeting tennis legends Casey Dellacqua and Pat Cash at the AO Ballpark, and soaking in the atmosphere of a sport they have come to love.
Dean Cleaver, Emirates regional sales manager, spoke of the atmosphere and excitement of the day. “The day is a celebration of the impact this program continues to have on children’s lives. We’re not just introducing them to a sport. We are providing a pathway to build confidence, improve their physical health, and boost their mental wellbeing. The 25 participants here today were chosen for their dedication and positive attitudes. Flying them to Melbourne embodies what our Force for Good initiative is all about—connecting communities and creating opportunities.”
The power of the Emirates Force for Good program was echoed by its participants, with 85 per cent now feeling more positive about themselves and their future, and 76 per cent feeling more confident to try new things.
Vicki Reid, executive director of the Australian Tennis Foundation, watched on as the children experienced the event. “This is the magic of sport in action. The program is designed to help participants build their confidence to try something new, find a place to belong, and experience the joy tennis can bring. To see these kids, who started this journey on their local community courts, now standing here at a Grand Slam is incredibly moving and speaks volumes about the power of creating opportunity.”
Australian tennis legend Casey Dellacqua, who spent time with the children, shared her excitement. “This is what it’s all about. Looking at these kids, I see the same spark I had when I first picked up a racquet. To be part of their journey, has been an absolute honour. For many, this experience will be a defining moment, showing them that no dream is too big.”
The Force for Good program is a cornerstone of Emirates’ deep and long-standing support and investment in Australian sport and culture. The airline’s commitment to the nation for nearly three decades includes its iconic partnership being the Official Airline of the Australian Open.
Building on the momentum of its pilot year, the Emirates ‘Force for Good’ program will continue its five-year journey in 2026, with plans underway to deliver more tennis programs and impactful community events across Australia.
Australian Open x CyberCX
CyberCX, Australian and New Zealand provider of cyber security services, has returned as the Australian Open’s official cyber security partner in 2026. This marks the fourth year that CyberCX has vouched to protect the Asia-Pacific region’s largest annual tennis tournament.
“The Australian Open continues to go from strength to strength as Asia Pacific’s marquee tennis tournament. We are proud to partner with Tennis Australia to help deliver one of the most iconic sporting events globally,” expressed CyberCX CEO John Paitaridis. 
“As an organisation, CyberCX’s mission is to secure our communities and nothing brings our communities together like sports. From the grassroots to the stadiums, CyberCX is laser-focused on protecting and defending our sporting clubs, codes and major events.
“This year promises to be a blockbuster year in sport with millions attending and billions watching major tournaments and events including the FIFA World Cup, the Men’s T20 World Cup, and the Winter Olympics. This packed calendar starts in Asia with a spotlight on Melbourne Park for the Australian Open.
“The cyber risks to sporting codes, organisations and professional athletes are very real—ranging from disruption, data theft, privacy breaches, ticketing and financial fraud. Against the backdrop of a deteriorating threat landscape, it’s more important than ever for business, government and sporting organisations to work together to secure our multi-billion dollar sports industry.”
“The Australian Open is built on strong partnerships, and CyberCX has become a trusted part of our team over the past four years. Their support helps us deliver a seamless, world-class event for fans, players and partners, both at Melbourne Park and around the world. We’re delighted to continue working together as we kick off the tennis calendar for the year,” said Tennis Australia’s chief commercial officer, Cedric Cornelis.
CyberCX has previously warned that the global sporting sector faces a hazardous cyber threat environment with Australia becoming an increasingly attractive target, and has reinforced the need for continued investment in cyber security.
CyberCX also looks after the Wallabies and Wallaroos, helping to improve Rugby Australia’s cyber security defences through cyber incident simulation exercises, organisation risk assessments, penetration testing and uplift in cyber security controls at Rugby Australia.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs x Ringers Western
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs has released some early 2026 news, and no it’s not around the future of Matt Burton. The club has extended its partnership with Australian apparel brand Ringers Western.
After joining forces in 2024, Ringers Western has dressed players and staff for two seasons and will continue to do so until the end of 2027 as the Club’s official lifestyle wear partner.
“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Ringers Western,” said Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton.
“Their apparel has become an important part of how our Club presents itself, and the quality, professionalism and pride they bring to their work reflects the standards we set for ourselves at the Bulldogs.”
Co-founder of Ringers Western Matteo Salerno highlighted the shared values between the two organisations and shared his excitement to continue the partnership.
“We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with the Bulldogs. From day one, we’ve seen a natural alignment between our brands—both built on authenticity, hard work, and a deep connection to community,” he said.
“The Bulldogs embody the resilience and determination that Ringers Western was founded on, and watching that play out week after week on the field over the last two years has been great.
“We’re excited to continue growing alongside the Bulldogs and supporting them as they chase success both on and off the field.”
The Bulldogs will wear their Ringers Western uniform at Club events, including the upcoming 2026 Season Launch, where players will sport black chinos, black leather belts and white sneakers.
It it too early to be harping on about winter sports? We certainly don’t think so.
Optus Stadium x Revo Fitness
WA-born fitness brand Revo Fitness has becoming Optus Stadium’s first official fitness partner. The partnership marks a major milestone in Revo’s growth story, bringing together one of Western Australia’s fastest-growing fitness brands with an Australian premier sporting and entertainment venue.
Founded in Perth, Revo Fitness has always been committed to supporting sport and active communities, both across Western Australia and nationally. With over two million visits to its gyms each month, which is 33 times the capacity of Optus Stadium—Revo’s impact is already significant.
The partnership with Optus Stadium opens exciting new opportunities to engage with the community, delivering large-scale fitness experiences at one of the country’s most iconic venues.
“We’re excited to partner with Optus Stadium as its official fitness partner. This milestone reflects Revo’s growth in market, our proud WA roots, and reiterates our commitment to purpose-driven growth that supports the community in fitness, sport, wellbeing at scale. We love building meaningful experiences beyond the gym floor, and we’re excited about creating more impact together with Optus Stadium,” said Revo Fitness founder and managing director, Andrew Holder.
“Optus Stadium is more than a venue for sport and entertainment—it’s a place where the community comes together. Our partnership with Revo Fitness brings fitness-led activations to the Stadium and Stadium Park, creating fun opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get active, connect and enjoy the precinct beyond major event days. We’re delighted to be aligning our strategic business partnerships with another home grown Western Australian company which is rapidly building a national presence,” added Optus Stadium general manager commercial, Greg Sleigh.
Audi Revolut F1 Team x Gillette
In the lead up to Audi Revolut F1 Teams joining the grid the F1 team has signed a multi-year strategic partnership with Gillette.
The partnership will also feature Braun and Gillette Venus—two further iconic brands from P&G’s shaving portfolio.
At the heart of the partnership is a shared commitment to precision. From the intricate tolerances of a Formula 1 car to the exacting geometry of a razor blade, both Audi Revolut F1 Team and Gillette are guided by an uncompromising focus on technical excellence and beautifully engineered products in their own respective fields.
The partnership is strengthened by the inclusion of Braun, bringing together two iconic German brands. Braun’s famed design heritage and reputation for premium quality products aligns naturally with Audi Revolut F1 Team’s approach to engineering and performance, creating an authentic collaboration grounded in craftsmanship and innovation.
The inclusion of Venus adds a complementary dimension to the partnership, welcoming a more diverse, female and next-generation audience to the sport and engaging them in relevant and meaningful ways.
Together, the partners will collaborate on integrated branding, bespoke products and retailing, and fan-focused activations that extend beyond the racetrack, creating meaningful cultural moments and immersive experiences throughout the season.
The partnership will see Gillette branding featured on Audi Revolut F1 Team’s car and assets, reflecting a fully integrated presence from this season onward, including at the team launch which was in Berlin on January 20. 
“Gillette is one of the most iconic brands in the history of sports marketing, with a legacy built on authentic connections with fans worldwide. Bringing Gillette, together with Braun and Venus, into the world of Formula 1 is a strong statement and a natural fit alongside the outstanding global partners that already support our team,” said Stefano Battiston, chief commercial officer of Audi Revolut F1 Team.
“Gillette is a true power brand, one that shares our belief that engineering excellence and beautifully designed products can inspire confidence and emotion. As we launch Audi Revolut F1 Team on a global stage, their expertise in engaging vast consumer audiences makes this a truly powerful, authentic and strategic collaboration that will help us elevate fan experiences in meaningful ways.”
“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Audi Revolut F1 Team as they prepare to compete at the pinnacle of motorsport. We are inspired by the team’s long-term vision and excited to be part of its journey from the very beginning,” concluded Gary Coombe, CEO of Gillette.
“This partnership provides a powerful platform to showcase the superior quality and performance of our brands to fans around the world. With Gillette’s unrivalled blade technology and Braun’s advanced electric engineering, we see clear parallels to Audi Revolut F1 Team and our shared pursuit of performance without compromise.
“Together, we will create unmissable media and retail activations, engaging consumers in innovative ways both on and off the racetrack.”
