Seven Consulting continues its support of the Australian Opals
Management consultancy Seven Consulting has once again extended its sponsorship of the Australian Opals ahead of this year’s FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup held in September.
Sydney-based Seven Consulting first signed on as a naming rights partner of Australia’s senior women’s basketball team in the lead up the last World Cup in 2022, in which the team earned third place, before almost immediately extending the agreement.
Due to expire in the middle of this year, Seven Consulting has once again reaffirmed its support for the team, this time as a ‘major partner’ for a further four years up until 2029 (a new naming rights partner hasn’t been named), which will also take in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“Extending our sponsorship of the Australian Opals is a proud moment for Seven Consulting,” said Declan Boylan, who established the project, program and change management consultancy in 2002. “The Opals’ pursuit of excellence, commitment to teamwork, and ability to perform under pressure align strongly with who we are and what we stand for and we’re honoured to be their partners.”
Seven have been keen supporters of local women’s sport for the best part of a decade, also sponsoring the Matildas from 2017, before the team became the darlings of Australian sport (and indeed, as the their first official dedicated corporate sponsor), right through to the last FIFA Women’s World Cup, in which they placed fourth and had the entire country captivated.
“Over nearly a decade, we have seen first-hand how visibility and investment elevate women’s sport,” the firm stated, having also been a pioneer behind the scenes in terms of professional development and the tricky post-athletic transition to alternative employment. Former Matilda Elise Kellond-Knight, and former Opal Alice Kunek, both currently work at the firm in PMO roles.
Female athletes
Additionally, Seven Consulting has this year launched a new grants program for emerging female athletes “who represent the future of Australian sporting excellence”, with two $25,000 grants on offer to help reduce the persistent financial roadblocks and other disadvantages women face in achieving an elite sporting career. The recipients are expected to be announced this month.
“It’s awesome that Seven Consulting will continue their support of the Opals and it’s an exciting time for the program,” said head coach Sandy Brondello, who herself played in an era when financial backing for female athletes remained scarce. “It’s essential to have partners that believe in the vision and we’re appreciative of their commitment as our focus turns to Berlin.”
