26 August 2008

MyState Financial today announced it will become the first major Tasmanian sponsor of the future Tasmanian AFL team.

MyState Financial chief executive Chris Brooks said MyState Financial will commit $300,000 for three years - $100,000 a year - when Tasmania wins a licence from the AFL.

"MyState Financial are strong supporters of the Tasmanian AFL Bid and I am pleased to announce we are the first major Tasmanian sponsor for the future team," Mr Brooks said.

"We know that Tasmania can and will present an economically sustainable bid to the AFL.

"As the largest Tasmanian-owned financial institution, we believe there will be substantial long-term financial and social benefits to the State of a Tasmanian AFL team.

"As a State we have already seen the financial benefits of playing four AFL premiership games at Aurora Stadium – with our own AFL Team those benefits will increase exponentially.

"With 11 home games a year, as well as the flow-on effects with people employed directly and indirectly with a Tasmanian AFL team, we can see real benefit to Tasmania.

"Further, the long-term benefits of an AFL team for grass roots football and encouraging outdoor activity in our young people will be substantial."

Mr Brooks said MyState Financial will begin its support of the Tasmanian AFL Bid immediately.

"We will distribute information about the Tasmanian AFL Bid to the 12,000 MyState Financial Footy Tippers this week, encouraging them to register at www.tassiefootyteam.com.au.

"We will also distribute information about our sponsorship of the future Tasmanian AFL team to the 140,000 members of MyState Financial across the State.

"A link to the Tasmanian AFL Bid website will go live on our homepage today, so that our members can seek regular updates on the progress of the Tasmanian AFL Bid."

"And, starting this week, a framed Guernsey and supporters' board will be sent on a roadshow around all our branches for staff and members to show their support."

Mr Brooks said MyState Financial had monitored the progress of the Tasmanian AFL Bid closely.

"We have seen the growing support in Tasmania and interstate.

"To think that almost 25 per cent of Tasmanians would consider joining a future Tasmanian AFL club as members without a team even in existence is impressive.

"And now we hear there’s also strong support from interstate, with more than 80 per cent of 14,000 people surveyed Australia-wide showing support for a Tasmanian team in the AFL.

"Of course MARS’ commitment of $4 million for the first three years and the launch of the Believe bars last week has been fantastic and we are pleased to join with them as supporters.

"All of this activity indicates there is a growing shift of increased support for Our Team, and we know that Tasmania will be ready to seize whatever opportunities arise in their bid.

"We believe there will be many more Tasmanian companies interested in supporting both bid and the Tasmanian AFL team, and we encourage them to join us."

The Tasmanian AFL Guernsey will be scheduled to visit all MyState Financial locations over the next three months. The schedule will be published on mystate.com.au.

• www.tassiefootyteam.com.au