It’s been an epic week of sports and sports sponsorship news. Overnight in the Toyota AFL Premiership the Gold Coast Suns booked their first finals appearance in the clubs 15 year history.
Fans had to wait for the final match of the season to find out if their club would be playing in September for the first time ever. Luckily for the Suns supporters the match was sewn up in the first 20 minutes with the home side jumping out to an early 26 – 8 lead off the back of Ben Kings boot, who slotted three goals. The key forward had himself quite the game, slotting an astonishing seven goals and one behind.
Gold Coast will now travel to Perth to face Fremantle Dockers on Saturday night in an elimination final.
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In the NRL, Penrith have found themselves in the headlines again this week, after resting 16 players in their top of the table clash against Canterbury tonight. With just two weeks before the finals, this game can have major ramifications of the make-up of the top eight. However, coach Ivan Cleary simply doesn’t care, and is looking after the well being of his players who will have to play four weeks of elimination football if they are to go on to win a fifth straight premiership.
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Welcome back to B&T’s Spotlight on Sponsors series, where we break down all the major sponsorship news from inside the sporting world.
This week’s Spotlight on Sponsors features the inaugural Telstra Footy County Round, Shark acquiring the quick hands of Olympic Boxer Harry Garside, Serena Williams as the newest ambassador for telehealth startup Rot, Surfing Australia and NRMA expanding on their partnership. Finally, Grant Thornton has signed on to become a major partner of the ICF Slalom World Championships.
NRL x Telstra
Over the weekend, Telstra kicked off its inaugural Telstra Footy Country Round to celebrate and inspire the next generation of Rugby League players, with NRL stars to hero local junior clubs this week.
During Round 25 of the Telstra Premiership and Round 8 of the Telstra Women’s Premiership (August 21–24), players from NRL and NRLW clubs wore the socks of junior teams across select games and training sessions in a tribute to the local clubs and communities that shaped them, with the hope of inspiring more youngsters to pick up a football.
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The Telstra Footy Country Round was celebrated across both competitions, with the symbolic socks featured on the turf at each venue, accompanied by the message ‘Supporting Footy Together’. Junior players from local clubs also took to the field during the half-time festivities.
Telstra Group executive Amanda Hutton said, in its 24th year as proud naming rights partner of the NRL and NRLW Premierships, Telstra continues to support the NRL in putting community footy in the spotlight.
“At Telstra, we believe you can’t be what you can’t see, and by kids seeing their footy heroes and remembering they too were once junior rugby league players, it can inspire their own sense of hope and optimism to achieve their dreams, she said.
“When kids play sport, it’s not just their skills that grow, it’s their confidence, resilience, and sense of belonging. By dedicating our Round to junior footy, we hope to help young people grow on and off the field.”
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said Telstra Footy Country Round was an important initiative to reinforce the connection between the elite and community levels of the game.
“All of our elite NRL and NRLW players started their journeys with junior rugby league clubs and by wearing the colours of local clubs during Telstra Footy Country Round, our clubs will highlight the role that local clubs continue to play in supporting young people in their communities,” he said.
“Thank you to Telstra for the generous support they continue to provide to community Rugby League clubs across the country.”
As part of the Telstra Footy Country Round, 50 junior rugby league clubs nationwide received a Telstra Footy Pack, filled with essential equipment, including tackle pads, cones, balls, and more. This helps clubs across the country stay game-ready and gives young players the tools they need to thrive.
This is in addition to a further 50 clubs and 10,000 kids that Telstra has supported since it launched its ‘Footy Country’ initiative in 2023, when it delivered NRL coaching clinics, the Provan-Summons Trophy and some of the game’s biggest stars to regional Australian areas for the first time.
To help celebrate and inspire the next generation of Rugby League players, several current footballers took to Instagram to share where it all began for them.
“Every player started as a kid with a dream and a ball. I started with St John’s Dubbo. This weekend we’re running out for all the juniors around the country – Telstra Footy Country Round”, Bulldogs five-eight, Matt Burton shared on Instagram.
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Harry Garside x Ninja
When it comes to power, performance, and doing things differently, Harry Garside and Ninja are evenly matched. So, naturally, it made sense for the Olympic boxer and Dancing With The Stars semi-finalist to team up with home and kitchen brand Ninja in a partnership for the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS.
Known for his discipline in the ring and crowd-pleasing moves on the dancefloor, Harry’s next challenge sees him take on the full marathon himself, bringing his trademark determination and focus to one of the world’s most celebrated running events.
“When I’m looking for ways to improve my training, recovery, or just trying to make better choices every day, I look for things that are powerful, efficient and built with purpose; that’s what
I love about Ninja products,” said Garside. “They’ve got my back through the highs and lows, just like a solid coach or training partner. I’m proud to be running this marathon with their support.”
Now officially part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, the TCS Sydney Marathon (August 31) welcomes tens of thousands of runners to a course that takes in Sydney’s most iconic landmarks.
In the lead-up to race day, Harry has been embracing a new rhythm —one that’s focused on performance, balance, and fueling the body with intention. He shares a few insights into how he’s preparing:
- Carbs are your friend: “Protein’s great for muscle repair, but I’m leaning into carbs right now. Rice with a bit of maple syrup, banana on toast. It’s about fuelling up and making sure the body has what it needs.”
- Hydration matters more than you think: “When you’re out there for a long time, staying hydrated is everything. You feel the drop in energy fast.” To help keep hydration interesting,
Harry turns to the Ninja SLUSHi, a one-touch frozen drink maker that transforms electrolyte-rich drinks into refreshing slushies, ideal for cooling down and topping up fluids post-run. - Recovery is just as important as the run: “After a big run, I’ll usually make a smoothie to refuel – almond milk, banana, Biscoff, dates, granola… sometimes a bit of chocolate milk too.” He uses the Ninja Stealth IQ to blend it all together, a new Ninja product launching at the end of September: “It’s quick, powerful and smooth. Everything you want post-run.”
- From cutting weight to fuelling right: “I’ve had a pretty complex relationship with food, especially coming from boxing where weight cuts can be brutal. But training for a marathon has been a shift. It’s not about restriction—it’s about respect for your body and fuelling it properly.”
This year also marks the launch of a three-year partnership between Ninja and the TCS Sydney Marathon, and is the latest in a series of sporting-led partnerships designed to support athletes,
spectators and beyond.
Ninja will have a major presence at the pre-race TCS Sydney Marathon Running Show, giving runners a first look at its latest innovations.
On race day, the brand will bring the energy with a DJ-powered You Can Make It cheer zone and a post-race Recovery Village designed to help participants relax, refuel and recharge.
Serena Williams x Ro
Serena Williams has helped telehealth startup Ro serve up its latest campaign.
The tennis superstar is the face of the company’s latest campaign for weight-loss shots of the likes of Wegovy and Zepbound, stating she lost 31 pounds (14 kg) as a patient. It’s the first time Williams has spoken out about using the medications, known as GLP-1s.
Serena turned to Ro, one of dozens of telehealth companies that offer access to the drugs, after struggling to lose weight postpartum.
“I trained at the highest level, ate a clean diet, pushed myself, and still, after having kids, my body just wouldn’t respond,” Williams said in a statement. “I realised it wasn’t about willpower; it was biological. My body needed the GLP-1 and clinical support.”
Williams isn’t the first athlete to join forces with Ro. In April, it tapped basketball legend Charles Barkley to be its first patient ambassador after his weight became a regular punchline on “Inside the NBA,” the show he co-hosts with Shaquille O’Neal.
CEO Zachariah Reitano said in an interview that partnering with world-class athletes also serves another purpose for Ro, It challenges a common misconception that weight is simply an issue of willpower or self-discipline. “This is powerful evidence that that is not the case,” he said.
“In many ways, Williams’ story is similar to those of other patients who feel they’ve tried every diet and every exercise regimen with little success. I haven’t seen anyone else at her level come out to talk about it, that takes courage. Over time, what will resonate with people are stories like this.”
Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, is an investor in Ro and sits on the company’s board.
Surfing Australia x NRMA Insurance
Surfing Australia and NRMA have expanded on their partnership to further support the growth of Australian surfing—from inspiring young surfers and strengthening grassroots clubs to creating more opportunities for women across the sport and industry.
Under a new three-year agreement, NRMA Insurance is the platinum partner of SurfGroms, Teen Groms, Seas The Day, and the RISE Women’s Program. The partnership marks a significant step toward building an inclusive, resilient, and thriving surfing culture nationwide.
The expansion builds on NRMA Insurance’s existing role as presenting partner of the Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final and continues the brand’s positioning as a help company.
“This expanded partnership marks a huge step forward for grassroots and women’s surfing in Australia,” said Surfing Australia CEO Chris Mater.
“NRMA Insurance has shown they’re not just investing in events; they’re investing in people and communities. From young groms learning water safety for the first time, to women stepping into the surf community with confidence, this support is helping us build a stronger, more inclusive future for Australian surfing.”
NRMA Insurance’s expanded partnership directly supports Surfing Australia’s key participation pillars:
- NRMA Insurance Seas The Day: The world’s largest women’s participation surf festival, held annually at Kingscliff, NSW. The event offers a pressure-free competition environment for women of all ages and abilities, free surf lessons, and a vibrant festival line-up designed to educate, empower and celebrate women across the surfing industry—through leadership panels, wellness workshops, and art showcases.
- NRMA Insurance RISE Women’s Program: A strategic initiative aimed at increasing female representation in surfing, through boardrider club development, coaching pathways, and leadership mentoring.
- NRMA Insurance SurfGroms: The national junior development program offering fun, safe learn-to-surf experiences for kids aged 5–12. The program equips children with essential surf safety skills while fostering a love and respect for the ocean. Building on this foundation, the NRMA Insurance Teen Groms High School program helps students aged 12–16 advance their surfing ability and ocean awareness.
“Our broadened partnership with Surfing Australia enables NRMA Insurance to reach new audiences and make a real impact—fostering active lifestyles and equipping young participants with vital safety skills while creating inclusive opportunities for women across the sport,” said NRMA Insurance executive manager partnerships and business excellence Luke Farrell.
“Surfing plays a pivotal role in building meaningful connections in local regions throughout the country, an important foundation in building stronger, safer and more resilient communities. NRMA Insurance is pleased to be able to help fuel the continued growth of the sport and the next wave of Australia’s surfing superstars.”
With more than 250 boardrider clubs nationwide, thousands of children enrolled in SurfGroms, and a growing demand for female-focused programs, this expanded partnership will play a meaningful role in shaping the future of surfing in Australia.
In addition to the naming rights properties, NRMA Insurance will continue as the presenting partner of the Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final (ABB)—Australia’s premier club surfing competition—and as the supporting partner of the ABB NSW Regional Qualifiers in Narrabeen, Coffs Harbour and Cronulla.
2025 ICF Slalom World Championships x Grant Thornton
Services firm Grant Thornton has signed on to become a major partner of the ICF Slalom World Championships 2025 to be held at Penrith Whitewater Stadium starting from September 29.The move strengthens its partnership with Olympic gold medallist and 10-time world champion Jessica Fox, whose success globally has garnered a new generation of fans here at home.
Now, with the world’s best paddlers set to descend on Penrith for one of the most prestigious events in international sport, Grant Thornton is extending its commitment by supporting the global stage.
“We’re excited to sponsor the ICF World Championships event as it’s a natural progression of our partnership with our brand ambassador, Jessica Fox,” said Grant Thornton Australia CEO, Said Jahani.
“Known as the greatest paddler of all time, Jess’ disciplined approach to training and competition shows integrity and dedication as well as precision in skill and performance—we believe these traits are essential in our business too. Her remarkable achievements embody ‘Reach for Remarkable’ which helps tell our story about who we are and how we’re different and why clients love working with us.
“We’re proud of everything Jess has achieved in the Olympics and as a World Champion, and we’re looking forward to cheering her on at the World Championships when she defends her title.”
Fox, already a beloved figure in the Penrith community and the most successful paddler in the history of the sport, is equally excited about the partnership.
“I’m very proud to welcome Grant Thornton on board as a major partner of the ICF Slalom World Championship. It’s been a wonderful partnership for me personally as its ambassador in the lead up to the Paris Olympics, and now I’m grateful for this to expand to include supporting our sport and this global sporting event,” added Fox.
“It’s great to bring this partnership out of the office and onto the water together – bringing the Grant Thornton purple to Penrith! The athletes are excited and we are ready to reach for remarkable in September!”
The 2025 ICF Slalom World Championships, taking place at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium, will bring athletes and fans from across the globe to Western Sydney. The event will form also a vital stepping stone on the green and gold runway towards a home Olympic Games in 2032.
Paddle Australia CEO Kim Crane, said the event is thrilled to have Grant Thornton join the event’s stable of partners who are committed to providing the best experience for athletes and fans.
“Having Grant Thornton join the 2025 Slalom World Championships is a powerful show of shared vision,” she said.
“Its continued support of Jess and now this global event shows what’s possible when partners rally behind our athletes and help bring world-class moments to life, right here on home soil.”
As anticipation builds for the Championships, Grant Thornton’s presence, both on the water and off, will further elevate the profile of an event set to inspire a new generation of Australian athletes, professionals and fans alike.
The ICF Slalom World Championships 2025 promises six adrenaline-charged days of action, with medals awarded daily.
