AccorHotels extends partner deal with AFL
Accor Vacation Club’s operating entity, AccorHotels, and the Australian Football League (AFL) have extended their ‘Official Hotel Partner’ agreement for an additional four years from 2019.
In an exciting new addition to the current partnership, AccorHotels will provide career opportunities in hospitality to women in the AFLW, allowing them the flexibility to compete at an elite level, and a shared commitment to increasing employment and development opportunities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through AccorHotels’ Indigenous Employment Program.
With a network of over 380 hotels across Australia and the Pacific region, for the last five years AccorHotels has delivered a first-class off-field experience to the AFL to enable teams to perform at their best, and for optimum performance recovery.
The partnership extension goes beyond providing accommodation and will enable both organisations to focus on their shared vision and objectives which include; ambitious youth employment and leadership goals, the development of a dedicated AFL Indigenous youth traineeship program, support for young women athletes and their families through education and employment scholarships, and share Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture with the broader community.
‘Relationships and trust’
Simon McGrath, AccorHotels chief operating officer Pacific, said: “The relationships and trust that has been established with the AFL and individual clubs across our hotel network remain vital to our ability to deliver the optimal level of support to the players and the clubs.
“Working together, our combined vision is to elevate our strong partnership to increase the representation and leadership of women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in our respective industries.
“We do this through our expertise, vast networks and our brand reach to create meaningful career opportunities, leadership development and cultural engagement in our collective communities.”
McGrath said he was thrilled that the AFL was staying with AccorHotels for four more years, and looked forward to working with the AFL, its clubs, stakeholders, communities and fans to “further play an active role in the evolution of the game and through this, providing opportunities to women, Indigenous and youth development”.
From left: Sarah Derry, AccorHotels Vice President Talent and Culture; Renae Trimble, Accor Hotels Vice President Sales, Digital & Loyalty, Australia; Kylie Rogers, AFL General Manager Commercial; Tanya Hosch, AFL General Manager Inclusion & Social Policy; Kirby Bentley, AFLW Carlton player; and Nicole Livingstone, AFL Head of Women's Football at the AFL and AccorHotels announcement
Kylie Rogers, AFL general manager of Commercial, welcomed the partnership extension.
“We are proud to be continuing our partnership with AccorHotels, an organisation that shares the same values as the AFL” she said.
“Supporting the employment program is another step in the AFL’s commitment to increasing the presence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in relative industries.
“Providing these women with endless opportunities to progress off the field ensures long-term growth and a sense of security for life after football.”
“It is important to continue partnerships with companies who support our values of diversity and inclusion. We are thrilled to be supporting the new employment programme and cannot wait to witness the wonderful outcomes and opportunities it provides for women in sport.”
