Origin Energy will continue to sponsor Netball Australia and the Diamonds as the company’s chief executive said he welcomes any athletes who speak out on climate change and other social issues – even if that could bring them into direct conflict with their employers or corporate backers.
As Netball Australia reels from the sudden withdrawal of Hancock Prospecting’s $15 million deal after Diamonds players voiced reservations over historical racist comments made by Gina Rinehart’s father, Origin chief Frank Calabria confirmed there was no prospect of his organisation pulling their financial support from the embattled sport.
The Diamonds’ naming-rights sponsor, Origin Energy, is sticking firm with the embattled sport.Credit:Getty
Nor has the recent movement of athletes like Pat Cummins, who raised ethical objections regarding climate change with Cricket Australia over their sponsorship with Alinta Energy, discouraged Origin from any future partnerships with sporting teams, leagues or associations, which Calabria said should be based on shared values rather than the mere placement of a “logo on a shirt”.
“I’m actually OK with people voicing their views,” said Calabria, who was speaking on a webinar arranged by Origin – the Diamonds’ naming-rights sponsors – to discuss the impacts of climate change on the sports industry and the transition to net zero.
Origin Energy CEO Frank Calabria.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
“Like anyone, athletes have an entitlement to their view, and their opinions and views actually do carry some influence. I think they need to think about the influence they carry when they express them.
“But in any gathering of people … there will always be an array of different opinions and views. My key thing in all of that is that you have an environment where people are listened to and respected, and as a result of that, they’re heard.
“It doesn’t, on the face of it, [make us] shy away from the way we think about sponsorships. What we think about is, do we actually have an alignment of values with the organisation that we are dealing with? When it comes to climate change, I think what’s important is that we come together to agree the size and scope of the challenge and actually go after it together.
“And if we do that, respectfully, and align on that, that’s really a good thing from my perspective.”
Origin has set a target for net-zero direct and indirect emissions by 2050, but Calabria admitted the company and the energy industry at large still had a “long way to go” in terms of decarbonisation.
Calabria affirmed Origin has no plans to move away from sponsoring netball and highly values the sport’s broad reach from the elite tier to the grassroots and across metropolitan and rural areas throughout Australia. It comes after several other companies, including Suncorp, HCF, Nissan and Woolworths, declared they would stand by Netball Australia despite recent reports which suggested Hancock’s decision could trigger an exodus of sponsors.
Tom Harley, the Swans’ chief executive, said the sports industry is “maturing” when it comes to sponsorships.Credit:Getty
Sydney Swans chief executive Tom Harley, who also spoke on the panel, revealed the AFL club had found in a recent survey of its 55,000 members that 46 per cent saw climate change as their most important social issue.
Two of the Swans’ most prominent on-field leaders, co-captain Luke Parker and ruckman Tom Hickey, are among 260 men’s and women’s players who are part of the AFL Players For Climate Action lobby group.
“The authenticity of partnerships is really important,” Harley said.
“Sport’s maturing in a lot of ways. The conversation [is shifting] from just a pay cheque and the branding on the shirt. [We are] really encouraging our players to share their concerns, if they have concerns.
“As a general comment … we’re all trying our best. It’s important to be kind, when assessing how we’re all going. There’s never any sort of malicious intent [from the Swans] if we step out of line with anything. We’re starting our journey. It is important to be comfortable not knowing and leaning into discussions on matters that you need to get better at.
“With the athletes, you bring them along the journey, be open and comfortable with feedback … [while also] constantly educating our people as to what’s some of the commercial imperatives of running a sports club.”
