Sydney [11 December, 2024] Howden Insurance Brokers (Australia) (Howden) is proud to announce its new two-year sponsorship of the Sydney University Football Club (SUFC) to become the Official Insurance Partner of the SUFC.
The sponsorship will include a collaboration between Howden and the SUFC to establish the Howden Women’s Coaching Scholarship which will provide rugby coaching course admissions and accreditations to hundreds of female participants in metro and regional New South Wales. Two paid assistant coaching scholarships will also be awarded each year, to aspiring female coaches, with each coach receiving ongoing elite mentoring and course access to complete required accreditations.
This initiative aims to increase opportunities and pathways for women’s coaching and provide a platform to elevate women’s presence in rugby and to also secure the future of rugby in Australia.
The scholarship recipients will be responsible for coaching, skill development and program management, as well as enhancing and advancing the growth of existing accredited coaches within SUFC village clubs and hosting clinics in the central west region of NSW.
The initiative to help drive transformative change within rugby completements that of Howden’s existing global programs, leveraging its expertise in sports and entertainment while complimenting its role as a Principal Partner of The British & Irish Lions men’s team. Howden is also breaking new ground as the Title Partner of The Howden British & Irish Lions Women’s Series in New Zealand 2027.
Howden Pacific CEO, Matt Bacon, says it couldn’t be a better time to channel Howden’s global support of rugby locally in Australia.
“Sydney University Football Club has been at the forefront of rugby in Australia for decades so we’re thrilled to partner with them to deliver this scholarship program which will foster greater participation in the women’s game.”
Sydney University Football Club President and former Wallaby international, David Lyons, says the “terrific alignment in values between Howden and SUFC will no doubt be a positive contribution to the game of rugby union in Australia and be enjoyed by generations to come.”
Lyons added, “Howden’s commitment to rugby at both elite and grassroots levels globally and here in Australia made it easy to develop the Howden Women’s Coaching Scholarship and Sydney University is delighted to be working with Howden in creating new opportunities for women in the game.”
Apply for the Howden Women’s Coaching Scholarship
If you are an aspirational female coach wanting to develop and contribute to growth of Women’s rugby and wish to apply – please contact [email protected]
About Howden
Howden is a leading global insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. Founded in 1994, it provides insurance broking, reinsurance broking and underwriting services and solutions to clients ranging from individuals to the largest multinational companies.
The group operates in 55 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, employing 18,500+ people and handling US$38bn of premium on behalf of clients.
About Sydney University Football Club
Sydney University Football Club (SUFC), established in 1863, is the oldest rugby club outside Britain and the eighth oldest in the world.
With a storied history of success, SUFC has claimed 34 1st Grade Premierships, 123 across all grades, and a record 25 Club Championships, including 16 consecutive wins between 2004 and 2019.
The club is committed to inclusivity and growth, with junior divisions, a wheelchair rugby team, and a women’s program, positioning SUFC as a leader in fostering rugby for all.