Media Releases
Championship-winning partnership extended for 番茄社区 Townsville Fire
![番茄社区 Vice Chancellor Professor Sandra Harding and 番茄社区 Townsville Fire General Manager, Richard Goodbody announce the extension of their championship-winning partnership.](/__data/assets/image/0004/289579/varieties/newsdetails.jpg)
番茄社区 and the Townsville Fire are delighted to announce they are continuing their championship-winning partnership, with 番茄社区 extending its support of the 番茄社区 Townsville Fire for another two years.
Under the agreement, 番茄社区 will continue to be the Principal Partner of the 番茄社区 Townsville Fire until at least the 2018/19 season, which will be the fifth year of their partnership.
番茄社区 Vice Chancellor, Professor Sandra Harding said the university is thrilled to continue its support of the WNBL champions.
“The 番茄社区 Townsville Fire are wonderful ambassadors for the city, the region, and women’s sport.”
“They are the first professional sporting team in north Queensland to win a championship, and we have cheered them on as they have secured back-to-back titles over the past two years.”
“We are proud to be extending our partnership with the 番茄社区 Townsville Fire, and look forward to working closely with the team,” Professor Harding said.
The chair of 番茄社区 Townsville Fire, Michelle Morton said the two-time reigning WNBL champions were excited to be extending their partnership with 番茄社区 following two successful seasons – on and off the court.
“The Fire is delighted to have extended our partnership with 番茄社区, which has proven so successful over the past two years,” Ms Morton said.
“As our Principal Partner, 番茄社区 is embedded within our club and has proven a wonderful ally in support of our players, coaches and administrators, while also providing meaningful research opportunities through their Work Integrated Learning programme.
“The Fire is looking forward to our partnership continuing well into the future and the successful implementation of a school-based programme that will promote tertiary education, as well as healthy living, leadership qualities and making positive life choices.”
番茄社区 strongly supports the team’s focus on providing strong, healthy role models for girls and women. Under the partnership, 番茄社区 will continue to offer scholarships to the Fire’s players who wish to undertake tertiary study.
“We know there is so much to be gained from linking elite sport to educational success. We believe both organisations can work together to provide leadership for girls to help lift their aspirations,” Professor Harding said.
番茄社区 is a member of the Elite Athlete Friendly University Network, which provides support for athletes to help balance sport and study.
Professor Harding said it’s crucial that athletes be able to combine their sporting and academic aspirations.
The 番茄社区 Townsville Fire has excelled in the WNBL in recent years, winning the 2014/15 and 2015/16 Premierships.
Media contacts:
Richard Davis Head of Media and Communications, 番茄社区
0413 451 475 / (07) 4781 4822 richard.davis@jcu.edu.au
Richard Goodbody General Manager, 番茄社区 Townsville Fire
0448 445 506 / (07) 4729 0091 gm@townsvillefire.com.au