Gallagher has brokered a ground-breaking deal with Australia’s premier football leagues, which will put the insurance heavyweight in the thick of every game this season.
Gallagher will be out on the pitch, running alongside Australia’s most elite footballers as the official referee partner and insurance broker for the A-League and the Westfield W-League in 2020/21.
Gallagher has a rich legacy of partnering with elite sport around the world and it understands how powerfully its own values of integrity, teamwork and excellence line-up with the ethos of high-performance football.
Greg O’Rourke, Head of Leagues, said:
“We are delighted to partner with Gallagher. This new relationship will enrich the footballing experience for our fans, our players and importantly, our referees.
“Football is back, and our players and officials are all ready to be back on to the pitch and get the 2020/21 season started.”
Gallagher Australia CEO, Sarah Lyons, said Gallagher is proud to be supporting the vital work of the referees in safeguarding the integrity of the game as well as the safety of the players.
“Referees play a critical role in football. There is no game without referees, just as there is no business without insurance and risk management solutions.
“You’ll find both Gallagher and the referees running with the action, protecting integrity and playing an essential role in keeping everyone safe and moving with confidence.
“In addition to sponsoring the referees, Gallagher is the official insurance broker for the A-League and Westfield W-League. We are delighted to support the development of professional football in Australia, while also showcasing our insurance broking expertise for businesses large and small,” Ms Lyons said.
Referees representative Mathew Cheeseman, Football Australia’s General Manager, Refereeing, welcomed today’s announcement.
“On behalf of all our referees, I would like to thank Gallagher. I think their analogy of our respective roles is entirely fitting and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial association,” Mr Cheeseman said.
The A-League and Westfield W-League seasons begin on December 27, kicking off on the same day for the first time in Australian football history.