Ford Australia and the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) have announced a four-year partnership, with the automotive giant will become the Official Automotive Partner of the Queensland Maroons and the Presenting Partner of Country Week. The partnership was unveiled at a press conference following the Maroons training camp, with both parties expressing enthusiasm for the collaboration.

Ford Australia’s Director of Marketing, Ambrose Henderson, said: “At Ford, we believe in the power of sport to unite communities and drive positive change. Partnering with the Queensland Rugby League allows us to engage with fans at a grassroots level, while supporting the growth of rugby league in Queensland. We are excited to embark on this journey with the QRL and we are very proud to join the team.”

This partnership extends Ford’s existing sponsorships in other sports, including Basketball Australia, Geelong Cats, and Shell V-Power Racing Team. As part of the agreement, Ford Australia will engage with the Queensland Rugby League from grassroots community development to the highest levels through the Maroons and State of Origin.

President and CEO, Ford Australia, Andrew Birkic, said: “At Ford, we believe in the power of sport to unite communities and drive positive change. Partnering with the Queensland Rugby League allows us to engage with fans at a grassroots level, while supporting the growth of rugby league in Queensland. We are excited to embark on this journey with the QRL and we are very proud to join the team.”

Queensland Rugby League chief executive officer, Ben Ikin, hopes the partnership will bolster the Maroons’ presence in the State of Origin arena.

“We are delighted to have Ford Australia join the Queensland Rugby League family. The Ford partnership will help our Maroons remain a force in the State of Origin arena,” Ikin said. “Our Maroons players are renowned for toughness on the field, and this trademark has also been a feature of Ford’s vehicles and business for many years. I’m not one to talk up rival codes, but it’s hard not to respect Ford Australia’s partnership with the Geelong Cats, which will reach the 100-year milestone by 2025. Let’s hope today’s announcement is the start of something just as special.”

As part of the partnership, Ford Australia will be actively involved in community engagement initiatives and fan activations, and will provide vehicles for QRL staff to use across the state.