Mining company BHP’s ongoing partnership with the AFLW this season is helping to inspire the next generation of women to shine in the workplace and on the football ground.

With the 2024 NAB AFLW season having kicked off on August 30, BHP is aiming to improve opportunity and equality in business and sport with its support for the highest-level women’s Australian Rules Football competition in Australia.

BHP has partnered with AFLW since 2019.

“We are excited to continue our support of the AFLW this season and create more opportunities for women to thrive in business and sport, and for us to help showcase these talented athletes in Australia,” comments BHP president Australia, Geraldine Slattery.

“At the heart of this partnership is our shared commitment to embracing diversity. Together with the AFLW, we have a common desire to achieve gender balance and enable every woman to thrive in their chosen career. Our partnership is all about supporting initiatives that empower and create a genuine level playing field.

“We want to see greater female participation both on and off field. At BHP we are delighted to see higher numbers of women in a range of fields across our organisation, with women now making up over 37% of our employee workforce,” Slattery said.

AFLW has helped to inspire a 30% increase nationally in women and girls participating in Australian Rules Football since 2019. There are now 18 teams and over 540 AFLW athletes playing football across the nation.

BHP is the official Women’s Coaching Partner and Inclusive Community Club Partner, focussed on increasing higher female participation in the workplace and sport and supporting the adoption of inclusion and diversity policies in local football clubs and leagues. 

The partnership supports key programmes at senior executive level to grassroots development opportunities and engagements, including career development and female leadership programmes in the communities in which BHP operates.

BHP’s current AFLW partnership runs until the end of 2025.