Bulldogs partnership to continue
THE City of Ballarat’s partnership with the Western Bulldogs will extend for another three years, with AFL and AFLW matches to be played annually at Mars Stadium.
Two AFL games and one AFLW match will be played each year in Ballarat until the end of 2027, with the AFL team to host Port Adelaide and Adelaide in 2025.
The Western Bulldogs deal began in 2017, the year after the club broke its 62-year premiership drought, and is supported by both the State Government and the City of Ballarat.
“Across three years these nine AFL and AFLW games are expected to drive millions of dollars in visitor expenditure in Ballarat, supporting businesses and boosting local jobs,” Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said.
“It’s a really great day for Ballarat.”
The club will also continue its community-based programs including Bulldogs Read, its youth leadership program, the Next Generation Academy, and the Sons and Daughters of the West programs.
Captain Marcus Bontempelli said it is important for players to think about how to make a positive community impact.
“In its purest form, this is where everything started for us as children and the impact that we can have now as professionals in the league, you don’t really understand how deep it can run,” he said.
“The appetite for the young kids to learn and find out about our game and what we do in our lives… it really makes you feel good about where you are and what you’re doing.
“It’s continuing to remind [my teammates of] the impact you can have beyond the football field.”